Doctors Worry Winterizing Outdoor Dining Spaces Will Increase COVID Risk For Diners
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As the weather gets colder, restaurant owners are winterizing outdoor dining spaces, but it's causing concern that they are becoming too enclosed and exposing diners to COVID.
On the Upper East Side, Alexandra Boet searched for open and breezy outdoor dining.
"I'm sure there's more ventilation than if you're inside," she said.
But colder weather brings walls, plywood roofs and tents to outdoor structures. They can reduce fresh air.
"Ventilation is critical," said Dr. Len Horovitz, an internist and pulmonologist at Lenox Hill Hospital.
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Horovitz says he worries winterizing threatens to wreck what started out as a good thing.
"Outdoor dining was really great over the summer when everything was unenclosed," he told CBS2's Dave Carlin.
Horovitz says he considers tents and igloos problematic because they may not have proper ventilation.
"The problem is when walls are created, when they want to heat the inside and when there may not be sufficient ventilation inside to ensure lack of contamination," he said.
He wants restaurant owners to keep air circulating with open spaces and tells the public to choose outdoor dining areas carefully.
"Ideally, you're at a table outside in something like a parking lot with nothing overhead, and you take your football blanket and put it around you if that keeps you warm enough," Horovitz said.
Remember, heaters do not circulate air, and if the space is noisy, that can be a big problem.
"Loud background noise and background music in restaurants makes people talk louder or shout," Horovitz said. "You'd project farther and that will project your aerosol farther, so yes, that's a danger."
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As coronavirus cases surge again, unless you can find properly disinfected open outdoor set-ups, the doctor recommends takeout.
"Just pick up the food and take it home," Horovitz said.
To dine with more peace of mind.
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