Restaurant spending linked to increase in Covid-19 cases, study finds
A new study from JPMorgan analyzing the spending habits of some 30 million cardholders found that an uptick in restaurant spending predicted an uptick in cases of Covid-19 within about three weeks, CNBC reports. The trend was more pronounced in states where purchases were made in person. This data is part of a mounting pile of evidence that suggests indoor drinking and dining may contribute to the spread of the virus: More than 100 positive cases have been linked to a single bar in East Lansing, Michigan, and a group of 16 friends tested positive after a night out in Florida. As a result, some states have ordered bars to close and restaurants to reduce capacity, and New York City and New Jersey are reconsidering their plans to include indoor restaurant dining in the next phase of reopening.
