Does wood need to "breath"?

I posted pics of my “computer table,” which is really a vintage dining table on fb. I have it covered in clear plastic to protect it from scrapes and spills and all the crap that can happen to true work tables.
Some folks on fb are saying it isn’t “good for the wood” to be covered in plastic. Some are saying it needs to “breath.”
That kind of makes no sense to me. As long as it’s clean and dry when I cover it, I think it should be fine. I’ve had it covered off, and on, for several years.
Also, I gave it a good oiling yesterday before I recovered it. To me, it seems like the plastic will stop it from drying out.

Do they know something I don’t know?