Are you certain of the identity? Can you describe these bees?

No, I am not certain of identity. They look like tiny little bees. Gold. They flit and light on us a lot when we’re NOT sweaty and are very persistent.

They look like this:

I should give photo credit. It’s from this article which end with an admonition to just put up with them because they’re good pollinators. I get it, but I really don’t want them disrupting our meal. Maybe there’s an area repellent? https://www.sciotopost.com/sweat-bee-like-insects-invade-pickaway-summer/

The picture you posted and the article linked to are inaccurate because sweat bees and hover flies are not the same insect and are not even closely related.

It is likely that outdoor controls such as citronella, fans, sprays, screening, etc., would work for either of these flying insects.

Sweat bees would be attracted to any warm-weather exposed skin; sweat does not need to be pouring off, the skin simply needs to be moist, or even dried after previous sweat.

You asked what they looked like and I found that picture. That is exactly what they look like. I decided I should reference the article, but can't comment on its accuracy.

The insects in the picture are hoverflies (having one pair of wings and a different head structure) and not sweat bees (having two pairs of wings). But overall, they do look very similar.

Okay. So how do I deal with them. We just want to eat our meals in peace!