The Safety of Movie Theatres in a Pandemic World

Are movie theatres safe to visit during a pandemic? The answer is unequivocally yes. No case of COVID-19 has been traced back to a theatre anywhere in the world. While there is always a risk of getting sick in public spaces, the likelihood of contracting the virus in a theatre is significantly lower compared to other venues such as grocery stores or bars/restaurants.

Enhanced Safety Measures in Theatres

Theaters are taking multiple measures to ensure the safety of their patrons. These include regular cleaning of seats between movie showtimes, staggering showtimes to avoid crowding in the lobby, and operating at greatly reduced capacities. In some areas, every other row is closed to further reduce the risk of exposure.

Additionally, theatres are generally requiring patrons to wear masks, with the exception of eating or drinking. Since movie-goers spend the duration of the film in their seats, they are not engaging in close social interactions. They are simply watching a movie, which is a solitary activity that does not involve mingling with others.

Comparative Safety Analysis

Let's compare the safety of movie theatres with other public spaces. Visit a grocery store, where you may encounter people touching countertops and merchandise that others have handled. In a bar or restaurant, the atmosphere is lively with people talking, mingling, and drinking, which increases the risk of viral transmission.

When to Feel Comfortable Revisiting Theatres

Considering the current situation, the availability of a vaccine or a significant drop in infection rates will signal when it is safe to return to movie theatres. Some individuals, especially those with critical thinking skills, are ready to venture back sooner rather than later. Theaters, while still implementing precautionary measures, offer a relatively safer environment compared to many other public spaces.

Once the vaccine becomes available or the infection rates decrease, there will likely be a surge of moviegoers eager to watch films in person. There is no concrete proof that the risk currently poses a greater threat than it has in the past. Therefore, it is safe to assume that attending a movie theatre will be a low-risk activity after these precautionary measures are in place.

Controlling Hysteria and Negative Narratives

I do not engage in mass hysteria nor do I see it as a chance to feel superior by signaling my virtue. Instead, I rely on my own research and analysis of data to determine when it is safe to return to movie theatres. Phrases like "pandemic planet" only serve to inflame anxiety and create unnecessary fear.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provide detailed annual hospitalization and mortality statistics for respiratory viral infections in the United States. These statistics show that every year, a pandemic spreads rapidly across the globe, often starting in Southeast Asia. In 2017, there were 80,000 American fatalities and 959,000 hospitalizations due to a pandemic.

With this information, it becomes clear that the risk of contracting a virus in a movie theatre is far lower than elsewhere. Understanding the broader context of viral infections can help alleviate fears and promote a more rational approach to returning to public spaces like movie theatres.