As more and more venues open up for entertainment or sporting events, you may be wondering how safe it is to attend.
One thing for sure: In the wake of the news about the Omicron variant, experts say it is more important than ever to follow CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of infection, which includes masking, practicing social distancing, getting vaccinated, and adding boosters for adults when eligible. While scientists are still determining how well the vaccines protect against this new variant, having as many people as possible vaccinated ultimately prevents new variants from circulating in the community.
Michelle Cespedes, MD, an infectious diseases expert for the Mount Sinai Health System, discusses the best practices to protect yourself from a COVID-19 infection at indoor and outdoor events.
How safe is it to attend a large gathering—like a basketball game or Broadway show—that requires proof of vaccination?
In New York, large venues are requiring all participants to be vaccinated and a mask mandate has been reinstated due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. However that may not be the norm for everybody. So whether the venue requires it or not, it is important to be vaccinated. This protects you, but it also protects everyone you come into contact with after the event. It’s important to remember that people you come into contact with afterwards may not have the ability to fight off the virus, due to being immunocompromised or having some other underlying medical condition. If everyone is vaccinated at the event, the risk of catching COVID-19 or spreading it is low.
Should I wear a mask at the event?
If attending an indoor event, even if vaccination is required at the venue, I recommend wearing a mask. You probably won’t be able to social distance very effectively as seating is often tight and people are close together trying to get to their seats. That’s one reason why I recommend that you wear a mask inside.
Also, if you are vaccinated, there is a chance that you can still catch the virus, but you probably won’t have severe symptoms. And you want to be mindful of people you might spread it to after the event. Someone who is immunocompromised is at a higher risk of having a severe case of COVID-19, even if they are vaccinated. If the event is outdoors, you’re safer. But you still may want to wear a mask if you can’t stay three feet away from other people.
How safe are bars and restaurants?
Most restaurants and bars have outdoor seating these days. But as the weather gets colder, that may not be an option. While many places have improved ventilation and filtration systems, I still recommend that you wear a mask while indoors except when you’re actively eating or drinking. Certainly wear it when the server brings your food. The best protection is to be vaccinated and check that the people that you are with are vaccinated, too.
What about gatherings where there are children who may not be vaccinated? Should I be concerned?
There may be times when families gather where children who are not yet eligible for vaccination are present. If you are at increased risk of a severe case of COVID-19, such as those who are immunocompromised or have a medical condition that can lower their immunity, it may be best to avoid such gatherings. If you do attend, it’s best to take extra precautions and wear a mask.
The good news is that vaccines are now available for children as young as five years of age. It’s important to get your kids vaccinated as soon as they are eligible, because we’ve seen that the Delta variant is able to affect kids more readily.