The weather is finally sunny and warm – Summer is back! However, we still have a pandemic to consider. So, what activities you can do safely this Summer; and which ones should you avoid?
When making your decisions, consider four factors: person, place, space, and time.
- Person – How many people will be involved? You still want to try to keep the number of people around you to less than 10 people. If you are thinking about a barbeque, avoid the block party with 25 neighbors, and instead choose a backyard barbecue with a few family members and friends.
- Place – Choose outdoor activities over indoor activities. Heat and humidity are not a respiratory virus’ friend, and there are few instances, if any, of people contracting coronavirus outside. Pools are considered a safe summer activity since chlorine kills coronavirus, and the water and the outdoor air make it difficult for the virus to survive.
- Space – Even if you’re outside, you still need to practice physical distancing (that’s a much milder word than social distancing!). Try to keep 6 feet apart. And if you’re indoors, make sure the area is well-ventilated. The reason why you need to be cautious in an indoor restaurant is that it is hard to keep that distance from others. If you can choose a table outside, that might be a better option.
- Time – The amount of risk seems to be closely related with how much time you are exposed to the virus. Most experts agree that after about 15-30 minutes of exposure, your risk increases significantly.