My gym has been closed for a week already because of the coronavirus. So far, they say they’re just going to be closed for another week, but I don’t believe that. I suspect that all gyms will probably close through April, don’t you? That’s what I’m preparing myself for, among other things. And I have to say… I’m not proud of myself or anything, but man, I realllllly miss going to the gym. It was my meditative space, where I could just zone out and walk on a treadmill or bike in peace and lift weights. I would come out, tired and sweaty but feeling calm and mentally rested. It was my reset button.
So after a couple of days where I just took naps during my old “gym time,” I decided to just… walk. Outside. In the sunshine and on chilly pre-rain cloudy days too. First I just walked around my (surprisingly hilly) neighborhood but over the past few days, I’ve been experimenting with hiking at a local park, on a lakeside trail. I prefer the lakeside trail to the neighborhood walk, although I think I’m going to mix it up some during the quarantine. Plus, the park has pockets where there are people milling about, and they’re not giving each other a lot of social distancing space. Grrr. But all in all… I don’t hate it. All of the fresh air is helping me. I think getting some sun is helping too.
Anyway, I have no idea whether Kristen Stewart is a gym rat or not, but I do know that she’s a California resident and the California governor told people to shelter in place. Kristen still went out with some friends on Saturday – Kristen and a dude seemingly went for a hike in the Hollywood Hills, then they cooled down at a “near empty” Los Feliz park. Is that allowed, Californians? Can you get out for a bit of air and some exercise as long as you social-distance? Kristen and the dude were way too close to each other for that, but who knows. That being said… I would be going stir f–king crazy if I didn’t go outside to walk, and I imagine millions of other people feel the same way. Just respect the six-foot cone of social distancing while you’re out, peeps.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
I go light jogging every day an hour before sunset BUT I keep my distance from other joggers as to maintain the 6 foot social distancing required to prevent Coronavirus infection. If I don’t exercise at all for the next 3 months I will lose my sanity.
I’m teleworking, and having at least 3 conference calls a day. So, I got my hubby to move my treadmill into my office. Now I go for a walk (can’t jog…don’t want to be panting on the phone) during every call.
I’m sorry but it is irresponsible to do that. I’m a runner, I’m use to run 10k every morning and I bought a rope and I’m doing my cardio inside and my workouts using apps where no equipment is required. My father has diabetes and is in the most vulnerable group and I’m not visiting him until is safer. We have to do our best to keep this from spreading. Keep your outings to the necessary things
Alex, it sounds as if Heather is working out IN HER HOME. She’s not being irresponsible at all.
@Alex,
She said “teleworking,” which implies that she is working remotely.
We’re all scared.I am… I’m high risk, with asthma.
Good for you being so strict on the distancing, though. It’s so good to know *most* people are vigilant. If only we could get the dolts who are still out to stay home, so our hospitals and medical staff aren’t overwhelmed. My spouse is an MD, and I am so worried for him… not only the exposure, but of the moral stress all are likely to experience as supplies dwindle and rationing decisions will be made.
It’s a goddamned horror show.
My apologies this is my second post ever on the site and I wanted to reply to @Lolo86lf. Sorry for the misunderstanding
@Alex, we are allowed to go outside in California; even the governor has pointed out that we can go for walks. As long as @Lolo86lf is practicing social distancing, his/her jogging isn’t a concern. I go out to walk my dog, and I cross the street or walk along the gutter if anyone approaches. Exercise builds up one’s immunity, as does Vitamin D, so time outside is actually needed during this time.
@Alex, no problem! However, I too have to go outside for a little bit so I don’t go crazy. I know, we should stay inside all the time….
Why do you go an hour before sunset? To minimize your sun exposure? Or because you figure it will be less crowded (fewer people to have to distance from)?
I’m just curious because I’m doing it the same way.
Exactly. Solar radiation is lowest one hour before sunset and there are less people jogging/strolling at the park. I am keeping my distance though. I just hate treadmills and stationary bikes.
We actually need sunlight, though. It helps us produce Vitamin D, which is good for the immune system. I understand that supplements can be taken, but there’s nothing like sitting in the sun for a bit to make more. If you’re pale, you don’t need to be in the sun for that long, like 15 minutes. The darker you are, the more time you need outside to produce Vitamin D.
Unfortunately I think it is unsanitary to do that. Here, because everyone has been going ‘hiking where there is no one’ the parks are closing down. You are bound to bump into people, and you still need to go from home and to your home.
My friends did the same and I was a bit appalled to say the least. I told them to enjoy it because are headed for a lockdown here in the UK> I hope they understood the hint.
Isolation is isolation. And there are lots of non-machinery exercises you can do at home. Napping isn’t one of them 😉
The United States already has an obesity problem for many of its citizens and staying home and not walking/jogging at all is going to make it much worse. People are going to be eating and watching Netflix instead of performing some kind of exercise.
I think Snowslows’s point is that exercise can still be done at home.
Lots of fitness videos on YouTube. I like SweatyBetty, PopSugar fitness, Fitness Marshall and Bodyfit by Amy. Honestly not very motivated but finally got out for a long walk yesterday. The streets were less crowded than the park. Lot of people wish they had that Peloton now ( can’t afford it).
The slight difference in the US is the amount of space we have. Somewhat less so in California, but overall I think if you are in the suburbs it’s been very easy for me to walk/jog/bike even on beautiful sunny days and be at least 25 feet from the nearest person. But of course heed the medical advise you’ve received.
Yesterday people flocked to the Marin County trails in droves to the point social distancing wasn’t happening and the news was like OMFG *stay home*
@BettyRose same thing at the East Bay Regional Parks.
We’re lucky to live on the edge of a subdivision. Adjacent to us is an empty field as far as the eye can see and a nice empty road (they were going to build there, never did, but the street got paved). It’s been a godsend for walking the dog and getting out. I see people from a distance here and there, mostly walking alone or with their dog.
I totally get the desire to hike trails we rarely have time for, but once they start closing the access roads to these popular trails..time we all start discovering the little known gems in out own neighborhoods (at odd hours if we have to. At least we can make use of the long hours of daylight.)
I live in the east bay and I have a home gym, but have been taking walks With the dogs as well. The fresh air is needed. Going out in the fresh air is not a problem as long as you keep a 6 feet distance from others. And if you are living with that person the distance is not required.
@BettyRose, Also in NorCal. GG Park was mobbed and lots of car traffic and no one really was paying attention to social distancing. Stinson beach was a mess. Pt. Reyes is going to cut off access. Some people here are not taking it as seriously yet as they should or think the outdoors is a protective shield.
My friend lives in LA, and she sent me the official order for LA residents. The order itself ENCOURAGES people to go outside and exercise, just stay 6 feet from others.
I think everyone has to judge based on their own circumstances. Follow the counsel you’re given from WHO and (competent) leaders. Where I am there’s lots of space and so I walk around my neighbourhood. I see kids out playing street hockey. When I meet up with people on the sidewalk we’ve given each other a wide berth. This way we can still be outside and enjoy nature and the sunshine and get a little fresh air into our lungs without compromising social distancing. I just don’t think there’s a one size fits all mandate. Be smart and be considerate of others.
Thank you @Anners! I don’t understand these people telling others that it’s irresponsible to go for a walk without knowing the conditions that person’s situation. As you say, it’s not one size fits all.
I’ve been taking walks around my neighborhood and while I see others doing the same, it’s usually a person or a couple walking about half a block ahead of me and/or behind me. I haven’t had a single instance of a person coming within 30 feet of me. I’ve never been a walker before, but it’s been helping me keep my sanity.
There’s definitely no one-size-fits-all mandate. I can go walk my dog without encountering another person. Especially now that all the tourists have to leave the area by 6pm. There aren’t a lot full-time locals in my community so we can safely go just about anywhere without risking infection or spreading it to others.
Thank you! I went for a hike yesterday: just over ten miles. I live in one of the counties that’s been under Shelter-in-place for over a week, and i do see plenty of people around my neighborhood out for a walk or a run. I’m an avid hiker so I know where a lot of the secret, secluded trails are and the state parks where no one really visits. Yesterday my flatmate and I probably saw only 6 people our entire hike: one couple and a family of four. We *did* see a lot of amazing local wildlife too: wild turkeys, several groups of deer, endemic spiders, these weird looking lizards I’ve yet to identify, and of course tons and tons of wildflowers. This is the best time to go for nature walks since there are so few humans around, and it did wonders for my mental health. Just be smart and responsible: 6 foot distance and go straight to and from home. And of course, wash your hands! 🙂
Here in Chicago we were ordered to shelter in place, and the official rules included that you could go for a hike, run, or walk, with the stipulation of maintaining a 6′ personal space barrier. The Bay area also included this caveat.
I’ve seen this same stipulation for a lot of countries that are in lockdown (I go to the BBC news app every day). You’re allowed to leave your home for essentials: grocery shopping, pharmacy, work (for those who can’t telework–e.g., medical & emergency personnel), and exercise. I think a lot of officials recognize that outdoor exercise is good for both mental and physical health. We don’t all live in densely packed urban areas, so it’s easy enough to maintain social distancing. For those who do live in urban areas, there are likely different times of the day where fewer people are out which would make it easier to keep your distance.
In Portugal you can go for a brief walk also but alone or two people max – keeping the safe distance of 6 feet from each other (and we have a state of emergency declared) …
We live in New York City and have a dog, so we are walking her in Central Park 3-4 times a day (normal for us, she’s young and needs a lot of exercise). For at least one of those walks, I insist that our teenager goes too, if only to get them outside and away from their laptop for a while. What I’m seeing are people attempting to keep 6” apart, other than those who likely live together – couples walking a dog, parents with young kids, etc. They seem to be mostly succeeding, particularly the runners & cyclists, but not always.
That said, I’m still amazed that they haven’t closed the playgrounds in the park – those are germ factories on the best of days (when mine was little, we’d come home from the playground and go straight to the tub for a bath, just to get the sand & sunscreen off). And there is plenty of space outside the playgrounds for the kids to run around.
I’ve never been to New York City. One of my dreams is to go there and visit Central Park while I’m there.
Besides the fact that it’s good for us humans to get fresh air, if you have a dog you still need to take them on walk too. It’s not very realistic to live in total isolation. When I’m walking and I come across someone else on the street, I try to walk around.
The UK have updated their guidance for the extremely vulnerable today and I’m not allowed to leave the house except to go to chemo. Although, if people carry on ignoring social distancing advice the whole country will be on lockdown soon
One of the worst offenders are the panic buying fkwits who are storming the supermarkets every day – they are potentially super spreaders but don’t care as long as they get their bulk shopping of essentials and other goods that they don’t really need and will likely throw out as waste when it goes off.
This morning I went to buy some bread from a local bakery and they had a staff member at the door letting in a few people at a time, we were told not to touch anything and that the staff would get what we wanted for us. People outside in the queue were standing a few feet apart and seemed to be taking the social distancing seriously.
I’d go crazy if I couldn’t get out for a walk during the day. But I hardly encounter other people so I’m not worried about contracting the virus from anyone.
My street is just over a kilometer in length, with three houses well spaced, and three little businesses. I have been walking up and down it once a day for the past two weeks. So far I’ve encountered one person on a bike. We waved and I crossed the road holding my breath for 30 seconds after he passed me. I’m so glad I live where I do right now just because I can walk. In the past two weeks, I’ve been out once for food and mail. I could not find bleach, Lysol, disinfectant wipes, or toilet paper in the big grocery store I went to.
I managed to snag some toilet paper a week ago and it’s been like gold to me. So far I haven’t been able to acquire ground beef, stew meat, bananas, or pasta sauce (to go with my gluten-free pasta, which is in plentiful supply in my store). Yes, bananas are sold out here. I got lucky both times I stopped at pharmacies to see if they had milk. Our local store has been out on my last two trips. I sent my husband to the store today while I’m at work and I’m hoping he can get even half of what’s on my list.
I miss the gym so much!
We have been doing walks outside,keeping distance of course but it’s not the same as a tough gym workout for me.
I am an introvert and didn’t realize how much socializing I actually do.
Ready for this to end for everyone and of course just want people to have what they need and be well.Grateful that I’m here with my family!
Have dogs, must walk. Using a walking stick as a visual reminder to others of the distance required. Some have made fun of me, others have been respectful. Also, have been working on the strata’s landscape, because, well, because someone has to and their behaviour cannot dictate mine … so there’s that. It’s been sunny here, tho chilly. Dogs (and I) would go beserkers if we didn’t get out, and that wouldn’t be good nor would it be pretty. So yes it’s fine. Go outside…just keep your distance and don’t let the naysayers try to shame you! After trying on a couple of phrases, now when someone approaches too closely, I hold my walking stick horizontally and say “it’s real”, whilst I ask they wait for me to get off the very narrow bridge before they start across or on a path, or crossing a log, or whatever.
I think a lot a walking stick is actually a great idea,no one should make fun of you for it.
As I said above I miss my gym,and we have been walking outside-almost nobody is around.Then I used our rowing machine at home and wow has it hurt my back 😭I have sacroiliitis(sp?)
So now I may find a walking stick have my daughter who is bored and artistic help make make one.Just keep distancing and know that this will be over someday Soon!please!🙏🙏😍
Love you celebitches!Stay strong and if my words are not making sense it’s bc it’s hard to even type 😂
I’m so grateful for my dogs right now.
I have a dog too, a very active breed. We have to do at least one long walk a day or she’ll destroy the house. We do walks in our local park. Don’t see many people and they respect the safe distance rule.
An 8′ leash is a very good measure. If my dog is at the end of her leash, the only people who should be closer than that are the ones I live with.
I also have a dog and must walk. He’s a Jack Russell so needs lots of exercise. So far we haven’t had any issues with space on our walks. All of the people we’ve encountered have been respectful of our bubble and we’ve been respectful of theirs.
I have been going for a walk every day. I don’t see very many other people and when I do, we maintain our distance. We have lots of hiking trails and such around here and there have been rumors they’re going to close those down, but I think the latest rule is no congregating around parked cars (so park, get out and walk and then get back in your car. Don’t use it as a way to hang out.)
Yes, we can go outside & walk properly distanced from others. We don’t touch anything. A walk in a park is ok but do not even think about going near playground equipment. Strictly off limits.
We can’t let our kids friends come over to play. That defeats the quarantine’s purpose because the kids’ might already be infected but asymptomatic. The parents could have picked it up @ work, grocery shopping, wherever. Set the kids up to skype/facetime/take your pick.
It’s the same here, south of Germany, close to the borders of France and Switzerland. I’d describe it as limited lockdown, we can go to the grocery store/pharmacy/doctor’s appointment/work. Public playgrounds have been closed for a week now. You can still go outside, either on your own or with a friend but you are required to keep at a distance of 1.5m. Walking with members of your household is also permitted. From what I have seen in the past couple of days, people are beginning to follow these rules.
We aim to take our little girl for two or three walks outside every day for everybody’s health and sanity. And in my case to hopefully induce natural birth. What kills me inside each time is telling my girl she’s not allowed on her favourite playgrounds and reminding her to keep her distance when we meet friends. By now, she hardly needs to be reminded which… is the right thing but feels so wrong.
In my town they have taken down basketball rims at parks and closed off playgrounds because people were not taking things seriously
There is a park a half block over from my house and yesterday there were at least 3 families with about 8-9 kids all running around and having fun.
You could always order a set of weights (Amazon has decent ones very reasonably priced), and do BodyPump classes at home. LesMills offers all their stuff on their streaming app, it’s fantastic.
I think I might do that, thanks! 🙂
I’ve never commented before, but I had to say thank you for the Les Mills tip! I love Les Mills (my mom and I used to do bodyjam together before she got sick) and didn’t realize there was an online way to participate. It’ll be a fun way to exercise during our isolation when I’m not teaching elementary school kids via distance learning.
My son and I are jogging daily. We are currently on a small island and don’t encounter many people. When we do, we cross to the other side of the street and are more like 20 feet apart. In my state, no one has been advised not to exercise outside – just don’t touch anything and maintain a healthy distance from other people.
I miss the gym, also. I live in a hilly area, and it’s been tough running. I’m mostly walking instead. When life gets back to normal I’m afraid I’m going to have to start at the beginning and work up to my regular routine. It’s gonna suck. I’m also afraid of gaining weight because then I’ll get depressed. We will all get through this, though. It’s a crises and we have to stay positive.
Honestly, I’d go crazy if I couldn’t go on walks anymore. We mostly walk or jog on the local cemetery, which is like a huge park with graves. Today, I met 5 people in all, a couple and a group of three. There is plenty of space to pass them at a distance. Am no epidemiologist but I really can’t see how that could be a problem.
One of the area doctors who has been advising on the pandemic (she’s been quoted in national publications and is even quoted in one of the Snopes articles) just posted a picture of her daughter in a field, so she’s clearly getting outside with her kids.
There is a big difference between walking in your neighborhood and partying on the beach. As of right now, US shelter in place rules permit outdoor exercise.
Kaiser – I’d be shocked if your gym opens in a week. Or two or even three.
My state is about the join the lockdown bunch, I suspect. We just have a high elderly population, especially in my area. We’ve all been walking outside, careful to keep distance, but I do notice that petering off as it worsens. I’m fortunate to have a lot of exercise equipment at home. I miss the gym, but I’m still moving.
@Veronica, are you in Florida? I’m hoping we go on lockdown next week since the idiot governor of our state can’t be bothered to shut the beaches. The sooner we isolate for 30 days, thr sooner this thing will hopefully be over and the curve flattened.
I’m in Florida and just read an article where an expert estimates that our state will become an epicenter for the virus due to the beaches not being closed and our governor sitting on his a$$ throughout this whole thing. Our elderly population is going to get hit hard and fast. This article says we could expect roughly a million cases of the virus if nothing changes right now. We did too little too late.
Nah, Pennsylvania. We’re second to you guys for elderly per capita, though. The problem was our governor thought a voluntary order would work, but since businesses decided to be greedy and skirt the rules, he gave that up and came down hard across the board. Now we’re likely to see shelter in place as it begins to spread through the two big cities – Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
I am worried about the South, though. They’re about to get slammed is my feeling.
I think if there’s no government order or quarantine mandate, it is acceptable and I certainly don’t wish for it to get worse in other countries to the extent that one is needed. In Malaysia for example, there is one because they want to flatten the curve. Only one household member can go out for essentials within a certain distance, and only essential businesses can be open. Local celebs and politicians have been urging the public to stay home. Local healthcare professionals have also been urging the public to stay home too for them.
I would honestly avoid the gym. In Singapore we have had clusters from gyms. Take care everyone.
Wait, I’m a bit confused here. Is California mandating all to stay home but people can go out for essential services? Or is it just a recommendation to stay home and avoid public spaces?
Edit: Just saw that you are still allowed to go out and avoid crowds.
I would think Malaysia’s harder tactics are also likely a repercussion from the government upheaval they’ve suffered over the past few weeks. They really can’t afford a massive pandemic outbreak while things are still transitioning politically. I have a friend who lives there, and she’s been giving us hilariously cynical ongoing commentary about it. She is VERY thankful she quit her job as an animator and went freelance a few months back so she can watch this go down at her parents’ home.
That too of course but Malaysia has no choice in the end. They are the worst hit country in SEA and they had to do this drastic measure to avoid an Italy situation. We are their closest neighbour and have now largely avoided taking the usual jibes at their political merry go round situation because that is not the concern now. We will be impacted hard too if they cannot control this so for now there is mutual support and co-operation where we can.
However I don’t mean we should support our governments wholeheartedly. Trump’s government or lack of it is certainly a nightmare and should be called out.
On Reddit yesterday a young man in Jordan posted picture of a military vehicle patrolling the street, keeping everyone inside. They aren’t allowed to leave at all and if they need food or other necessities, a soldier or a volunteer will bring it to them. They are arresting anyone found outside their homes, according to his post.
Holy Cow NOODLE! Well, that is one way to do it. This is so odd.
I started the 30 days of yoga on YouTube and go for a walk every afternoon.
Nothing crazy it’s getting warm in Florida, but there are not many people out and it’s nice to sweat out the stress.
We have a large elderly population in Florida, so I try to be very cautious about my outings.
Yes, Californians can still walk, ride bikes, jog, etc outside. But we’re advised to leave room when we’re out and about. We can leave the house to go to the grocery, bank, pharmacy, pick up take out – essential places that are open right now.
I go for walks on the beach during the winter/spring months when I am free. I love and enjoy it. I went once last week, all the beaches in the area were so crowded. The one close to me wasn’t so much. Everyone is out walking. Now, I’m not sure if I am to go – I’ve been staying in.
I’m in Southern California (Huntington Beach), and we are allowed and encouraged to walk in our neighborhoods, but avoid public parks. We have gone to the grassy part of our local park two times, so my 5yo son could play tee ball (we have a concrete backyard which isn’t great for fielding balls). We did not go on the equipment though, and stayed away from other kids.
Yesterday was the first nice, sunny weather we have had in a week, and a ton of people headed to the beach. If the beach were empty it would probably be okay, but there were a lot of campers there, along with revelers not maintaining physical distance. There is a huge backlash online currently; many people are calling for the closure of the beach parking lots to discourage these gatherings. Since the lots are owned by the city and the state, you’d think they’d be closed, but no, they are letting motor homes and trailers in to park and camp.
I’m surprised they haven’t closed the beaches yet. Here in Florida, we are acting much slower and we’ve started closing the beaches for 30 days. Let me edit that. It appears some of the hotels with beach access are keeping their beaches open with social distancing in effect.
I am surprised too. We were one of the earliest states to pull kids out of school and told to shelter in place. All non-essential stores and businesses are now closed. The city is shut down for the most part, but it’s really hard to patrol miles and miles of beaches. You send one group packing and move on, and they come back for a few hours while you are on the next set of revelers. I think the biggest impact would be to close the lots so people would have to park and walk (which is not fun with beach “stuff”), and there are so few places to park a motor home. A lot of these people are not residents here; they are transplants from out of town or other cities, here for a good time. This happens every summer when weather warms up and we host the surfing tournaments; people come in to party, trash the town, and leave us to clean it up. It supports the local economy which is why the city continues to do it, but most locals just avoid going to the beach over the summer (at least to the easily accessible tourist beaches) so we don’t have to deal with the drinkers and the gangs.
The problem here now is that this is largely an aging community. Housing prices are very high, but we aren’t chi-chi like Newport Beach or Laguna Beach. Most people here bought their houses decades ago when they worked for Boeing or one of the other major employers, and just never left. We have a TON of seniors we need to protect. I don’t understand how someone in good conscience go party at the beach, knowing they could be bringing home the virus to their parents or neighbors. It makes me sick to think about.
Go look at the Instagram posts of @thelocalmalibu from yesterday. The traffic in Malibu was insane and she’s got one shot from the Malibu Pier that was so crowded it looked like July 4th weekend. Some commenters said the Trancas Shopping Center was so crowded there was nowhere to park. One resident said it took him an hour to get to the CVS to pick up his prescription.
Some people don’t get the meaning of social distancing.
I’m not in a shelter in place state (yet) but we are still walking and running in our neighborhood and on the trails. The bathrooms are all closed now, but the trails are still open. I’m a runner who has had her next three races cancelled, but I’d go crazy if I didn’t still go outside and train. My kids are also middle school aged and their sport
is cancelled so they are running with us too.
I do feel like we are the only ones who scoot over to maintain the distance, but honestly there are always a lot of jerks who walk in the middle of a path or three abreast so that isn’t new.
I’m lucky that we have a well equipped home gym, but I also need fresh air and sunlight.
We’re still allowed to go outside here; I’m just super careful not to talk to anyone. My neighbors just got the cutest puppy ever and I want to go pet him, but I don’t want to risk getting too close to anyone.
I live in the foothills of the Rockies and hiking at dawn when there’s no one on the trails is the thing that’s keeping me sane.
But the mountain lions??????
Maybe you should have a neck guard!!!
Well, I leave in Paris, France, and I can tell you I would love to go on hikes ! But I don’t. I’ve been out 3 times in 10 days to get groceries. The mini market is 5 mn from my door. On Friday morning, I’ve been to get some bred, and I went to the good bakery witch is 20 mn max from home. Guys, I leave in a crowdy place. And it was seriously like 28 days later, the movie. Everything is close. Even tobaccos, allowed to be opened, are closed.
Almost no one in the streets.
I’m not complaining, I actually feels very lucky because I have a little balcony where I can get a bit of sun in the morning, and I leave alone in my flat, so I don’t have to share my space. For now we are allowed to go out for sport, even if all public spaces like parcs are closed. But I think they’re going to shut down this too.
And they should. I mean, I’m saw the testimony of this french doctor on national tv few days ago, and I understood. I thought I understood before, but I didn’t. He was in China, helping when the virus first attacked. Basically he said they finally manage to take over when they forbid people to go out for ANY reason (food was delivered) and, in hospital they separated the contaminated ones from the rest of the population after testing. The ones in danger where kept in places where they could be treated, and the ok ones were sent and kept together in stadiums. The population was willing to participate (and I’m pretty sure Chinese population is doing way better with discipline than French) and that’s how, after a huge battle and many loss, they started to see a possible victory on this virus.
So please, don’t wait before you have no other choice, just don’t go out for comfort, because even if it’s hard to feel concerned, we all should, and this shit is coming for us all ! For now it’s just a matter of time, so be smart and keep yourself safe, because we all need to be united about this. Sorry guys..
This crisis made me think of how I took fresh air, the outdoors and my lungs for granted. I saw the Sky News video of the Italian hospital situation. It was horrifying. And it’s a top hospital in Europe.
The main problem in Italy and now in some other countries is the fast spreading and the lack of capacity to deal with so many cases at the same time.. The purpose of most measures being taken in European countries is to avoid a large number of infected people simultaneously… Throught the year, people will be infected, but smaller groups, that way, there will be room for them in the hospitals…
But we do need to get 60 % to 70% of the population infected , just not all at the same time…
Makes me grateful to live in a rural area where we can walk for miles and not pass anyone! But if you are not quarantined , why not? Some fresh air and sunshine is good .
Agreed, just do the sensible thing unless there is strict stay home or quarantine orders. Malaysia has rural areas but the soldiers and police are still out in full force to tell everybody they encounter in rural or urban areas to stay home. They are racing against time to flatten the curve and certainly Kristin would be chastised for this in Malaysia, unless she is walking out to get essentials. But she’s not in Malaysia so I think it’s fine.
Same here, live in a town with 10 thousand inhabitants by the sea. If I go for a walk at 7 am, I won’t see a soul.. unless for people heading to work..
I live in PA and since the lock down, I’ve been going for daily walks in the park across the street from me. It has a nice path that goes around a lake. I go by myself and keep my distance from others. However, I still see people walking in groups and kids playing together (on the jungle gyms, soccer field and basketball court). They could be people who are quarantined together going outside but a lot of them seem like they’re meeting up at the park. No one seems to be keeping their distance. As I wrote I keep mine but sometimes it’s hard because these groups will spread themselves out, taking up the entire walking path with no regard for others. I often have to just go around them but sometimes it’s difficult to keep six feet away.
I sometimes eavesdrop on their conversations. Most just seem annoyed their daily lives have been interrupted. It often seems like no one is considering the bigger picture. There’s also a pizzeria near me that is only open for take out or delivery. They have signs requesting customers be mindful of the space between themselves and others. Despite that, people often get their orders then congregate on the benches and chairs outside the eatery.
SMDH. We’re headed for dark times. The U.S. is on its way to becoming the next Italy in terms of infected/dead. if drastic measures aren’t taken.
Watching the news last night and they were saying the same thing about BC. If we don’t get a handle on it this coming week, we are going to look like Italy. On Friday we had 10 dead, nine of them were from the same nursing home. It was brought in by a care aid.
@Sean I live in Pa. too and see the same things as you are describing. I also think we are in for it just like Italy who did not pay attention to anything either until it was way too late. The people who are so blase about this do not get it. It is hard for me to believe people are annoyed by the restrictions instead of being thankful precautions and mitigation measures are in place.
Just wait.
@Berlin. I believe many Americans are so coddled they have a tough time handling even the most minor of discomfort, which this is if we consider the grand scheme of things.* Yes, it sucks but it could be worse. Scarce offerings and long lines at the grocery store suck. But at least they’re open and restocking their shelves. Have these people not thought about what it will be like if enough get sick that food production/supply is halted? Having to cancel events and vacation plans is a bummer for sure. You know what an even bigger bummer would be? You or a loved one getting so sick they have to be hospitalized when resources are running low.
I’m currently reading “Ghost Rider ” by the late Neil Peart (RIP). It chronicles his journey of healing after losing both his daughter and wife within a ten month period (daughter died in a car accident, wife from cancer). Early in the book he wrote about how unfathomable this seemed to him because he previously thought nothing bad could ever happen to him or those he cared about. “What a fool I used to be” are his exact words (yes, I know they’re also Rush lyrics) to describe himself. This is what I think of the many who are so discouraged because their normal routines have been temporarily disrupted. None of them can fathom they or a loved one contracting the virus or even suffering possible severe consequences, so why bother? It’s sad because they’re being foolish (purposely or inadvertently) about the very real possibilities.
Sigh. We’re only immortal for a limited time.
*I’m not including those who are required to work outside their home or can’t afford to take time off. For those of you who fall into this category – stay safe, sanitary and thank you for your continued service be it food delivery/supply, healthcare or just keeping the lights on.
I read this today and it scared the hell out of me:
https://www.propublica.org/article/a-medical-worker-describes–terrifying-lung-failure-from-covid19-even-in-his-young-patients
It’s not the flu and it’s not just killing old folks. The government needs to lock things down tighter.
I went for a hike yesterday and it was wonderful. These days it’s either the house or a mad rush at the grocery store. Sometimes we need to get out into a little fresh air or we’ll go crazy.
My gym is surprisingly still open but they cancelled all the group fitness classes. I’ve been doing classes online and was grateful I still had dumbbells to do my weight workouts.
I also run twice a week with 2 or three other people. Since we all run at different paces we aren’t always in close proximity. We are not in complete lockdown yet but the YMCA and Planet Fitness clubs that are here have closed. I do miss the gym and seeing and talking to all the other regulars that come there.
Here in California we are allowed to go outside and take walks for now as long as the 6ft distancing rule is observed.
Unfortunately I tried hiking early this weekend and I will not be hiking on the weekend again until this is all over with. Out of the 50+ people I hiked by, 3 people actually respected the 6 ft rule. Most of the time people were just oblivious, but I actually had some people veer TOWARDS me as I tried to step away and look at me as like a defiant gesture.
I honestly don’t know what it will take to get people to take this seriously, do they just not know people are dying??
Yoga studios, kettleball instructors & others from my city have started doing free, online zoom classes. It’s a fun way to exercise & see others from your own home.
I take my dog for walks, and cross the street, or walk in the road if we see someone coming. I smile, but that’s it. I do see neighbors chatting & only keeping 2 feet distance, or kids playing basketball in the street together & I am disheartened.
I’m in California and we are still allowed to go on hikes and walks with our dogs. I still go for runs on the trails near the Rose Bowl, if I couldn’t I would lose my mind. Indoor workouts also help as a distraction but damn, cabin fever is for real 😣
Stay safe everyone. We will get through this.
How happy are you the sun finally came out yesterday after all of that rain, fellow Pasadena resident?
Yes!! Hi neighbors! It really was beautiful out there 🙂🌞
Love the Arroyo neighborhood! We used to take my girls to the KidSpace Museum there all the time.
Per the order, Californians are allowed to go out for walks, runs, and bike rides in their neighborhoods. I’ve seen a lot of people at my local park in San Marino (which has a lovely loop to run), but everyone seems to be maintaining a fair distance between each other outside of small family units of parents and kids. My daily walks and runs are helping me stay sane during this time.
I have to walk my puppy daily, that being said I keep at least six feet from other people. I also I had to tell an older couple, That wanted to let my puppy, to please not come close… they looked at me and laughed. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only person that’s actually taking this stuff seriously.
Good news here this morning! The Nashville mayor issues a 14-day Safer at Home Order:
“For fourteen days, all businesses not performing essential services will close. All restaurants can only serve customers by delivery, take-out and drive through. All social gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. This formalizes what many in our community are already doing. It is difficult, especially for Nashville’s businesses, but it’s necessary to slow the spread of the virus. We’re in this together. The faster we contain #COVID19, the faster we can return to business.”
The order says Nashville residents can: “Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise — just keep at least six feet between you and others.”
They said we can go out for a walk esp if we have dogs, ride a bike etc as long as we are distancing. But people have taken it too far already. They were crowding the beaches yesterday and out at Venice Beach actually playing basketball. It was a WTAF moment!!
I’m sure the hiking trails are probably crowded too at this point.
I live in Illinois which issued a stay at home order this weekend. State parks and hiking trails are closed. Police were guarding the entrance to a popular one my friend tried to visit yesterday.
But for regular walking outside, that’s okay for now. This is the word here:
“Outdoor exercise like running or taking a walk is perfectly acceptable; however, exercise gyms, fitness centers and associated facilities will be closed to reduce the spread of coronavirus. While exercising outside, you should still practice social distancing by running or walking at least six feet away from other people.”
I live in Los Angeles and I’ve been taking my daily neighborhood walks, and interestingly being seeing more people walking. I stay away from people and they do the same. It is allowed by the way, but I won’t drive to go hiking.
Our parks and green spaces were mobbed yesterday. People were acting like it was long weekend, meeting up with friends to the point where some municipalities are going to close the parks, trails, and beaches. When it was suggested to go outside and get some air, don’t think they meant everyone drive across town to the city park or outside the county, in bumper to bumper traffic, to the little beachside town full of old retirees.
I’m lucky to live in a place that’s still about 90% wilderness. Even when I’ve met other people, everyone is giving everyone a lot of space.
We are allowed to go outside to walk and get fresh air but we have to keep 6 feet of distance between ourselves and anyone who is not in our households. Kristen is failing at social distancing but not surprising. A lot of folks aren’t taking this seriously. Runyon Canyon was a mess yesterday because everyone was treating it like a fun holiday/retreat.
I went grocery shopping this morning and Trader Joe’s had a line that went down the block because they were limiting the number of people in the store at once. I was trying to keep 6 feet between myself and the person in front of me and behind me, but there was an over-eager woman who kept creeping closer to me and a group of folks ahead of me who were all standing right next to each other and they were all from separate households! Lots of them were over 60 too which is even more frustrating.
A lot of people have suggested going to ethnic markets if they are in your area, like the Asian or Latin grocery stores. Tend to have more items and less crowds. Went to my local Russian grocery in my neighborhood and was able to get eggs,pasta, frozen peas, stuff that was gone at Safeway.
If the person lives with you, there is no point in social distancing. Kristen may live in the same house.
We have shelter in place in Illinois, and it includes a provision that walking, running or biking outside are permitted as long as social distancing (6 ft) is observed. I went for a long walk this morning and people were good about staying that far, at least, away from each other.
Yes, unless otherwise specified you can go for walks and also should go for a walk. Fresh air and sun help your overall health and immune system, never mind the benefits for mental health.
People are getting very judgemental these days, currently the prognosis is 12 months for the first vaccines and 2 years until there is enough herd immunity to make the virus less of a threat to the overall population. So its is impossible to stay home for two years save a weekly trip to the grocery store, and some people live in tiny studio flats without outside space. I am lucky I can drive into the country side to walk in empty spaces with my dog, but many people in cities don’t have that luxury. As long as they maintain the recommended distance it is fine and shouldn’t be criticised.
There is also so much false information around about how you can get infected, better to check the WHO website and follow their guidelines.
I’ve been walking my dog in the middle of the street–we have no traffic–twice a day for my sanity and his. This may it be banned soon too. Who knows anymore.
Yep im fortunate to have a job where i can telecommute and all last week i only left my house to walk the dog, i knew we both needed exercise to keep from going crazy. The fresh air and endorphins felt great before working everyday too, wish my office allowed dogs it does feel healthier
I’m in southern California near long Beach, we can go out for walks. And we have a lot of big parks, you can easily stay 50 feet or more from people.
Plus every one is in line at Costco :p
But they are placing the national guard all over to “help with handing out food” but they are not handing out food.
We will be on full quarantine and curfew soon.
My sister is on a critical surgical team at long beach memorial and they just got special badges so they don’t get stopped on the way to work.
She is on a neuro team that does surgical IR for strokes. So they only have 30 minutes to get to the hospital and start certain procedures.
serious q here — is it ok to walk a bit outside if I make sure not to come in contact w anyone? I’m in MA. I’ve been walking up and down my quiet but urban street, where I can see anyone coming, and either avoid them or stand far from each other if we want to chat/yell to each other a bit. Then I wash hands when I’m back inside and otherwise am not even getting groceries or leaving, doing that all online.
I’ve been grieving the exercises I love so much…have turned my small but adaptable living room into a yoga, meditation and ballet space…and I’m doing some online classes…but sometimes I just want to move a bit… Thanks for any advice.
Everyone saying they will go crazy if they can’t go outside for a walk or a jog every day…
No, you won’t. It will be tedious, uncomfortable, and yes, you might fall out of shape. But you won’t go crazy.
I live in Italy and before all this, I too went jogging outside or to the gym most days, and I too consider it important to my mental health. But, I’m sorry, it isn’t a necessity. This is an emergency, and you have to make sacrifices. Ultimately, staying inside your own home for a few weeks isn’t going to kill you. Might it make your anxiety worse? Yes. Too bad, that’s the price we have to pay to keep the worst from happening. I haven’t been outside in more than two weeks except to go to the grocery store or throw out the trash, and those are quick trips around the corner and then back. I have a beautiful park next to my house and I look at it and dream about being in it, but I don’t go (and as of a few days ago, it too is closed because too many people were taking advantage of the looser permissions).
If you think the US is going to be somehow different than Italy, it won’t. It’s probably going to be worse, since a far larger percentage of the population is obese and has cardiovascular disease and other pre-existing conditions. It is less dense, so hopefully that will work in its favor. But the actions and attitudes that I see people taking now in the US are exactly the same ones that people had here until things got very bad.
If you truly live in the countryside, then there’s no harm in going out (except that if you get injured, you are taking a hospital bed from someone else who needs one). But otherwise, for goodness sake, work out in your own backyard or inside your home. There are plenty of YouTube videos, you won’t go crazy, and you’ll be contributing to making this all pass sooner.
Consider YouTube. There are several fitness videos. I subscribe to PopSugar Fitness.
If you live in the same house, you don’t have to maintain distance from each other, just people outside your house.