Apparently, and more than many other viruses, Covid-19 profits from superspreading events.
The evidence about superspreading activities has led researchers to believe they are responsible for much of the new coronavirus’s transmission. “All of the data I’m seeing so far suggest that if you tamp down the superspreader events, the growth rate of the infections stops very, very quickly,” Scarpino says. “We saw in Seattle that there were at least a couple of introductions that did not lead to new cases”—implying that the virus can fade out if it is denied circumstances for spreading.
But in the U.S.—where there have been nearly 2.16 million cases and more than 117,000 deaths—those situations may be on the rise. States are reopening businesses and activities, which means more people are coming in contact with one another in larger groups. So minimizing conditions that allow superspreading events to happen will be crucial for keeping COVID-19 in check.
The gist of it seems to be that gathering in close association with a large group for a protracted period — classroom, church, a political rally, and similar — is more dangerous than a brief encounter. Wear a mask and avoid large gatherings, in other words, but don’t freak-out because you have to detour through the grocery store.