With COVID-19 spreading and the situation changing daily, you may be asking if it’s safe to exercise outside and what precautions you should take. Numerous news articles are addressing the situation and weighing in on the pros and cons of biking, walking and running outdoors.
An article from Bicycling magazine, tapped health professionals for their advice and concluded: “The best plan for riding right now is to go out and ride solo and enjoy the outdoors.” Even cities such as San Francisco that are ordering residents to shelter in place are allowing to “go outside and engage in outdoor activity, such as riding, running, and walking, as long as people practice safe social distancing (stay 6 feet apart) and do not gather in groups.”
Referring to their local county health department web site, the Los Angeles Times offered some common-sense rules for staying safe when you go outdoors to hike or bike during the coronavirus crisis. Some of these rules included:
- Don’t go out if you are sick.
- Stay a least six-feet from others.
- Don’t workout with your buddies.
- Stick to wide paths for hiking instead of narrow trails.
- Find less crowded areas, and if you see crowds, leave.
If you haven’t been bicycling lately, but feel the need to get out for some fresh air and exercise, an article from Medium.com offers some tips on “How to start biking during COVID-19.” The writer notes that “cycling is a low-effort stress relieving exercise, which is good for your immunity, a welcome relief from being shut in, and helpful for coping with the high stress unknowns of a developing pandemic.
And we’d be remiss not to share news for our friends on foot. Another New York Times article answered some interesting questions that you might not consider until you are out and about. These included: “Can I use drinking fountains?” “If I’m running six feet behind someone and they cough, will I jog through their germs?” “Should I take off my running shoes before I go into the house?” “Does the sun sterilize surfaces outside?” Click here for the article and answers to these questions and more.
For the most up-to-date information, be sure to check resources like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization.