Fresh ideas to help us get fresh air

The decision by various levels of government, including the City of Ottawa, to release COVID-19 modelling “projections” just before Easter weekend was clever. The models suggest that large numbers of deaths are possible if we don’t closely follow physical distancing guidelines. Many fewer deaths are likely if we stay home or keep a safe distance when outside. On a “long” weekend, the temptation to go out — or perhaps bend the distancing rules a bit by mingling with dinner guests — may be strong. These stark new numbers may dissuade us.

But fear only accomplishes so much. Our desire to be active or go outdoors will only grow as the weather improves. How to keep people behaving as they must when the sun starts to warm us, the camping season beckons and people yearn for their cottages?

As well, we’re supposed to get regular exercise. Ottawa’s medical officer of health,

Dr. Vera Etches, urges people to suck in some fresh air and benefit from the general psychological lift that being outdoors brings. She herself goes for regular, stress-relieving runs.

What’s a conscientious city dweller to do? In Ottawa, there have been mounting calls to close some streets to vehicular traffic and open them to pedestrians so they can move around safely.

The mayor — who hastily punted the idea over to individual councillors, warning they’d have to pay any related expenses from their office budgets — shouldn’t be so hesitant to endorse it.

In Kitchissippi Ward, for instance, Coun.

Jeff Leiper has already closed a section of Byron Avenue to all but local traffic. On Friday, raw as the weather was, some pedestrians were already taking advantage of the added space. The city needs more areas like this, where families can spread out a bit without risking fines.

Closing more roads shouldn’t be tricky. Yes, public transit routes mustn’t be tampered with, and emergency responders need easy routes around town. But in other cases, even four-lane main streets could see one lane blocked off in order to allow pedestrians to walk with proper physical distancing. (Indeed, at certain times of day, some pedestrians walk along main roads already, expecting vehicles to cede the space.)

Other innovative ideas for safe physical spacing outdoors will emerge from our community. How about encouraging them? Dire numerical projections are important to help inform both policy and public behaviour. But so are fresh ideas — to help people get fresh air.