Please note!

This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.

Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

FACT BRIEF

Does the CDC consider large indoor events the 'highest risk' activities while COVID-19 is still spreading?

Saturday, June 13, 2020

By Anna Lenaker

Copy link

Copy featured image

YES

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not mandate protective measures for the U.S., but as the coronavirus has spread it has provided more specific guidance for state and local authorities who do. The agency says the highest risk is taken by anyone who attends large indoor gatherings where six-foot "social distancing" is hard to maintain, where attendees may be singing or cheering without recommended face coverings and where some in the crowd may have traveled from other places.

"The more closely you interact with others, the longer the interaction lasts and the greater the number of people involved in the interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread," Dr. Jay Butler, a CDC deputy director, said. "The guideline is really for any type of gathering, whether it’s the backyard barbecue or something larger."

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

CDC: Considerations for events and gatherings

CDC: Transcript of June 12 update on COVID-19

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Gigafact

Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

FACT BRIEF BY

Latest fact briefs

About fact briefs published on Gigafact

Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.