Tips for Enjoying the Summer During Coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic has lingered for several months and shows no signs of letting up anytime soon. As the summer season is now in full swing, the limitations of coronavirus can be extremely frustrating for you and your family.
Some normal summer activities aren’t a good idea because of the risk of spreading and contracting COVID-19. That said, the weather is still pleasant and this can make it difficult to stay indoors.
Furthermore, routine exercise is essential to good health. This means that you can enjoy the summer despite the ongoing pandemic.
Before you start planning activities, you’ll need to keep a few considerations in mind at all times to keep you and your family safe. We’ll outline these tips below to help you make the most of the summer!
Prioritize Outdoor Activities
To start, you should prioritize outdoor activities, specifically those in nature.
Your greatest risk of getting sick involves activities with other people. Considering this, anything that minimizes the number of people you might come across reduces your chances of getting coronavirus.
The outdoors are the best place you can go right now. Nature is far more open, meaning there is more space and plenty of airflow. This means you can easily maintain your distance from others and won’t have to share breathing space.
A few great ideas include hiking, exploring the woods, going on long drives, visiting secluded beaches, a picnic in a park, or even bike riding along a nature trail.
You’re likely yearning for fresh air and it’s probably one of the safest things you can partake in during the COVID-19 pandemic!
Avoid Crowded Areas
Wherever you decide to go, make a point to avoid crowded areas.
Nature and the outdoors are fairly safe, but this is dependent on where you go. The zoo is technically outdoors, but it’s often packed and social distancing is unlikely when everyone is in a rush to see the animals.
Concerning crowded areas, you should consider two things.
First, think about how busy the location or activity is. Going to the beach can be safe if it’s private or fairly hidden, but a popular beach likely isn’t.
Despite coronavirus restrictions, many other people are going outside and engaging in summer activities without much concern for the safety of others. This means that popular beaches will likely be packed despite the dangers involved with gathering.
The other side of this is deciding when you’ll participate in an activity. Timing can make a big difference because some places will be quiet at some times and overcrowded at others.
Going to the beach in the early afternoon is probably the busiest time, but you might find it more open closer to sunrise or sunset. This can be applied to anything else you might want to do.
The less crowded the places you visit, the safer you and your family will be. Your best bet is sticking to quiet locations and times.
Opt for Take-Out At Restaurants
When you inevitably get hungry, opt for take-out at restaurants rather than dining-in.
If you didn’t know, eating at a restaurant is one of the most dangerous things you can do right now. It may seem harmless, but it greatly increases the risk of spreading COVID-19.
When you eat at a restaurant, you’re ensuring that you’ll be in a confined space with others. Restaurants often have cramped seating, meaning that you may be close to other diners. Even if they don’t sit you directly next to another table, you’ll still be sharing the air with others.
Furthermore, you can’t wear a mask when you eat. A mask physically blocks your mouth, meaning that you’d need to take it off while dining. A restaurant full of diners without masks is a significant concern.
Not only are masks off, but you’re chewing food while you eat. If you choose to talk at the same time, this will further expel virus particles that can expose others in the restaurant.
Simply put, dining-in is a big no right now. You’re much safer if you choose to purchase take-out. You can still get the same delicious food but without the risk of contracting coronavirus.
Remember Pandemic Safety Guidelines
A final consideration is to remember pandemic safety guidelines regardless of what you’re doing.
Even if some activities and spots are safe, this is only assuming that you’re following pandemic safety guidelines. Hiking and walking through the woods are only safe if you’re maintaining your distance from others, wearing a mask, and washing your hands with hand sanitizer often.
You can certainly enjoy the summer, but you must do it responsibly. Not only must you keep yourself safe, but you must protect others should you have COVID-19 and not know it.
With this in mind, be sure you’re always following the core concepts of COVID-19 safety. This involves social distancing with a six-foot gap, washing your hands frequently, avoiding contact with surfaces, and wearing a mask at all times in public spaces (over your mouth and nose).
Closing Thoughts
While times are currently scary and uncertain, you can still have fun and make memories this summer. However, you will need to consider the impact of coronavirus and carefully plan what you and your family decide to participate in.
A few things you should keep in mind include prioritizing outdoor activities, avoiding crowded locations and times, opting for take-out at restaurants, and remembering pandemic safety guidelines wherever you go.
It’s incredibly important to keep your spirits up and stay healthy during coronavirus. This starts with getting exercise and going outside is one of the safest ways to do it!