It’s been several months since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and many of us have been staying home or close to home. Now that summer is here and states are easing restriction orders and allowing people to move about more freely, there is a strong desire to get out. With summer comes the desire to fire up the grill for backyard barbecues, splash in the neighborhood pool, and travel. But what’s safe?
Public health experts said that depends on several things – your age and health, and the precautions you take while you are out. Rule of thumb: The more time you spend and the closer in space you are to people the greater your risk of infection. So, interacting with more people raises your risk. Indoors places are riskier than outdoor spaces. And spending longer periods of time indoors with people you don’t live with increases your risk.
Backyard Gatherings
Meeting in a spacious outdoor area with a small group of people is relatively safe, depending on whom you gather with and if they have been practicing social distancing. Still, everyone at these gatherings should wear a mask and practice social distancing. And, avoid sharing food, drink and utensils – make it a BYO everything. Public Health experts said food itself isn’t the risk, but shared dishes or utensils could be.
Beach or Pool
As you as you can stay socially distanced, spending time at the beach or at a pool could be a relatively safe activity. Public health experts said the water itself is not a risk because the sheer volume will dilute the virus. They said people do need to watch out for crowds at pool entry points and bathrooms. Beaches are better in terms of space, and because you can go out early in the morning or late afternoon when crowds tend to be lower.
Hotels and Vacation Homes
Hotels are relatively low risk, public health experts said, but people should limit time in common areas, such as lobbies, gyms and elevators, wear face masks at all times in those and other public areas. Vacation homes, particularly those in the woods, are good because you’re not going to have a lot of contact with other people. Bring disinfecting wipes to wipe down the TV remote control and common surfaces in hotel rooms and clean all major surfaces of a vacation home upon arrival. If you’re at a hotel, remove the bedspread since it might not be cleaned after every guest. Order room service rather than eating at the hotel restaurant.
Camping
Camping tends not to have less risk because you’re typically outdoors and isolated. Risks increase if you’re at a crowded campground with shared restrooms and communal picnic areas.
Source: National Public Radio