Go outside and get some air but keep your distance
Cabin fever may be setting in for many Americans forced to stay home as health officials work to slow the spread of coronavirus.
For many, daily routines such as going to work, school, the gym, out to dinner or the mall have come to a halt with mass closures and guidelines that urge people to social distance themselves from others.
As of Thursday afternoon, there are nearly 11,000 reported cases of coronavirus in the United States, and more than 150 people had died. More than 84,000 people have recovered from the virus of the known 235,000 cases worldwide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.
Some states and cities have taken more drastic measures, mandating curfews for residents or ordering them to “shelter in place” – meaning residents should stay in their homes with the exception of people who work in essential services, such as law enforcement, grocery stores and health care. San Francisco’s directive allows residents to go outside for walks.
But is it safe to take your kids to a park or to walk your dog through the neighborhood? What activities can families do to stay active?
Medical experts say fresh air and exercise are important for your physical and mental health but advise Americans to use caution.
They recommend only doing outdoor activities with the people in your household and staying 6 feet away from neighbors or others in public areas.
Coronavirus is highly contagious, can live in the air for hours and on some surfaces for up to three days, and can be spread easily by droplets from someone’s cough,
“Everything you can do to keep it from spreading further really is going to
save lives,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases. “Keep that in mind when you’re sitting at home and going stir crazy.”
Here is some expert advice on outdoor activities you may be considering:
Can I go to a park?
Many national, state and local parks have remained opened during the coronavirus outbreak.
New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver is encouraging residents to use the city’s nearly 2,000 parks, which are free, while theaters, bars and restaurants remain closed, with the exception of carry-out orders.
“It’s very important for people to get outside,” Silver said. “Parks are so beneficial because it can help reduce that stress.”
Medical experts say it’s safe to go to parks that offer enough space for social distancing. Visiting crowded parks is not recommended.
O’Leary said parkgoers can go biking, hiking or jogging, but they should avoid doing these activities with groups.
Contact activities such as Frisbee or
football should be played only with immediate family members, he said.
“If you’re throwing the football with people you don’t know … you don’t know if they have symptoms,” O’Leary said.
What about playgrounds?
While many community playgrounds remain open to the public, O’Leary does not recommend using them.
Coronavirus can live on playground equipment, and it’s not routine to clean or sanitize that equipment after every use, he said.
Mitchell said New York is encouraging people to wash their hands and not touch their faces after visiting city’s playgrounds.
Are beaches safe?
Photos and videos surfaced last week of young adults packing Florida beaches for spring break.
Many were partying, tanning and wading in the water without practicing social distancing. After much criticism, some beaches including South Beach in Miami; Fort Lauderdale and Tampa were closed.
Medical experts say it’s not the beaches that are dangerous, but the large crowds they attract.
O’Leary said coronavirus is not likely spread through ocean water. But he recommends going to beaches with smaller crowds and keeping a safe distance from others.
Can I go to golf courses?
While some golf courses have shuttered amid the coronavirus outbreak, many remain open with active golfing.
O’Leary discouraged the public from going golfing right now.
He said visiting golf courses requires going inside the club house, paying fees and renting golf carts that often are used by others. All of those factors are a risk.
“It also may not send the best message to the surrounding community either,” O’Leary said. “If people see folks out on the golf course, it may create a false sense that what we’re dealing with is not so serious.”
And what about pools?
Public pools generally are safe if they are properly maintained with chlorine, which kills bacteria, said Dr. Robin Patel, director of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Mayo Clinic.
However, Patel urges swimmers to proceed with caution as the surface areas around the pool still can carry coronavirus.
O’Leary said he recommends swimming only in pools that are not frequently used.
A neighborhood walk?
Patel said taking your children or dogs for a walk around the block is safe in more suburban, less-dense areas.
Residents in crowded cities should be cautious as it may be harder to social distance, she said.