1/ Getting many responses/questions to this tweet so let’s break down what these “pods” or “bubbles” are and are not.

Short thread:

https://twitter.com/abraarkaran/status/1318758651503443968

2/ They *are* a way to stop people from alternatively cramming together in one big room of a restaurant.

They are *not* “safe” just because they are separate pods IF you are in there with people outside of your regular close circle (as in, other than people you live with)

3/ In the northeast, it is getting colder. I’m from LA— I don’t like this weather; I tolerate it bc I like @BrighamWomens @BrighamChiefs, but I certainly don’t like the weather.

So I understand that people are trying to find safer alternative ways to socialize here this winter.

4/ But it’s important to keep the basics in mind; these tightly packed pods that seem to be sealed in very well to retain heat could also expose you to higher concentrations of viral particles by the crowding & lack of ventilation if someone is in there w/ you & pre-symptomatic.

5/ While some point out that the alternative— being all together in a crowded restaurant is worse; I will say that the other alternative— doing take out & the gov giving restaurant workers more stimulus $$ would also be a reasonable expectation in a pandemic heading into 3rd wave

6/ Additionally— unclear if & how they filter these out between customers...if there are lingering aerosolized particles in these between subsequent parties, that’s another factor I would think about as well. I’m sure that there are variations of these pods w/ diff standards.