Your Quick Guide to Getting Fresh Air (Safely) During the Pandemic
Your Quick Guide to Getting Fresh Air (Safely) During the Pandemic
Stay-at-home orders are still encouraged across the country and left scores of people wondering: how do I get some safe time outside? Whether you're heading to the store or out for a little exercise, there are some easy guidelines to follow to help protect the people around you.
People are still allowed to go on walks, yes! Provided somebody isn't sick, wears a mask, and keeps a minimum distance of six feet between themselves and those from other households, they can head down the street in safety.
It's important to note that the guidelines and restrictions around time outside are fluid. Anybody who wants to step out from some time outside should check up on the most recent federal, state, and local guidelines that apply to their area. It's best to minimize time spent out of the home as much as possible-- but getting out for a walk, run, or jog can seriously improve a day of struggle indoors.
Making it Easy to Maintain Distance: A Guide to Getting Some Air in the Time of Coronavirus
Ditch the bad habits everyone was leaning on.
There's some really, really good news about giving each other the space to stay healthy outside: it's going to be easy! A lot of us lean on poor habits and manners out in public in order to make our own lives simpler. These are easy to kick-- and they'll help other people outdoors feel (and stay) safer.
Don't walk in the center of sidewalks
Remain aware of surroundings-- don't walk around staring down at a phone
Don't spit or do anything else that's going to intentionally spread bodily fluids
If a sneeze or cough is coming on, quickly use an elbow to cover it up
Learn what six feet looks like (on the horizontal scale)
Go the extra mile (or foot)
Another way that social distancing may be more achievable than most think lies here: most of us already socially distance a little. People just need to bump up their level of caution.
If, for example, a child on a scooter went racing by a pedestrian, the pedestrian might shift out of the way by a foot or two (or three). Now, in the interest of public health, it's a better choice to shift something more like six feet out of the way of a scooterist. The practice itself is a breeze! Pedestrians can:
Leave the sidewalk entirely to walk on the grass
Cross to the other side of the road
Stop, step to the side and wait
Turn and walk in the other direction
Groups are trickier-- but they can be accommodated!
A lot of us walk in groups. Even more people are beginning to head out in pods of two or three for a little company while they get some time outdoors. This can be tempting, but it complicates efforts to maintain social distance. It's best to head out alone if at all possible. It mitigates the time and effort someone will spend planning out how to keep safe.
Small groups are still allowed out together, though! It's important to shift to single-file as quickly as possible to pass other people. Most groups naturally walk side-by-side, but this takes up entire sidewalks and leaves virtually no room for people to pass safely.
Quick, easy tips:
Some steps to preventing the spread of COVID-19 hardly require their own write-up. Here are some examples of smart measures individuals can take to protect themselves and the people around them:
Don't ride bikes on the sidewalk (this is often illegal in many cities anyway)
Stay on bike lanes or use wider paths
Save outdoor time for quiet periods like early morning or late evening
Take extra care to allow other people (cyclists, motorists, pedestrians-- EVERYBODY) the space that they need
Wear a cotton mask outdoors to prevent the spread of germs
While some steps might require a little more effort than others, they all contribute to the same goal: keeping the public safe and healthy. The more time people are willing to spend practicing measures like these, the sooner everyone can start to test the limits of personal space. Until then, get outside, leave plenty of distance between people and groups, and respect everyone else's right to exercise and health.
While you’re home, here are some other articles for great activities you can do with the whole family:
Social Distancing Play Dates
8 Kid's Activities to do at Home this Summer
