Do’s and don’ts of outdoor recreation in Modesto during the coronavirus stay-home order
During this coronavirus stay-at-home environment, finding ways to have fun can take some work.
Everyone agrees that taking a walk or jog or bike ride with immediate family, while keeping a minimum distance of 6 feet from others, is fine.
But what about other common ways people enjoy leisure time and get exercise? A game of singles tennis sounds OK, right? After all, you’re way more than six feet from your opponent.
Not a good idea, according to an open letter from two doctors that is on the Sutter Health website. “A card or tennis game with friends may sound like fun, but the virus travels on the cards or the tennis balls. Play only with those in your immediate household,” says the article by physicians Warren Browner and Stephen Lockhart.
The National Institutes of Health and other sources report that the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is stable for several hours to days in aerosols and on various surfaces.
So just as playing tennis with a pal is a no-no, so are activities like throwing a Frisbee, kicking around a soccer ball (you’ll have to pick it up at some point), playing catch with a baseball and tossing a football. That is, unless, you’re doing these things with only members of your immediate household.
Clearly, then, a game of basketball with friends is out. But what about meeting up to shoot some hoops, keeping the appropriate distance and each player using his or her own ball?
Sutter Gould pediatrician offers advice
“Sports with balls — basketball, baseball, soccer — are not recommended, as the child will be touching the ball with (his or her) hands,” Dr. Krystle Balduzzi, a pediatrician at Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, told The Bee via email. “Even with separate basketballs, if the ball bounces toward the other friend, they will grab it. It’s a natural instinct.
“We are recommending no contact within 6 feet of others outside of the immediate home, which includes neighborhood friends. Activities such as riding bikes, outdoor yoga/exercises and races could be done, as these are easier to keep distance.”
The bottom line, Browner and Lockhart write, is when outside the home, exercise with just members of your household. And even then, avoid public playground equipment, where virus particles can linger.
Don’t host or go to play dates or birthday parties, either, the docs say. Regarding the latter, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office shared a Facebook post put up by the family of a little girl who was thrown a birthday parade when her party had to be canceled.
Though many teens seem to socialize more on their phones than face-to-face anyway, being cooped up no doubt has them craving in-person contact. Our son, home from college when classes went online-only, was asked by two friends to come “hang out” the other night. He said he was leaning against it, and his mom and I made it easy for him by saying “no.” The next day, one of the friends reported not feeling well.
So no hanging out, or meeting up, or whatever the kids are calling it, even between boyfriends and girlfriends, Balduzzi advised: “For teenage couples, we are also recommending that they not be together in person at this time,” she said. “Basically, we are recommending that all ages get good at virtual visits with friends. There are lots of fun ideas online of how friends are staying connected.”
And, adhering to her recommendation above on staying 6 feet away from others, friends and more-than-friends still could meet for a bike ride.
City of Modesto: Take advantage of trails
In an email to The Bee, the city of Modesto’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department reminds residents this is a good time to discover or rediscover “bike and walking trails all over the city that are ready and waiting for use. Our river trails are somewhat of a hidden gem in Modesto and we’d love to see people experience the outdoors and nature while many are spending much more time than usual cooped up indoors.
“Folks who are comfortable going outdoors and are not experiencing symptoms are encouraged to stay active by walking, running, hiking or biking on our local trails. We do ask that people practice social distancing and not get together in large groups.
“Keep an eye out on our social media pages, Facebook and Instagram, for updates on ideas and activities to do at home during the Shelter in Place order.”
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But for a moment’s-notice outdoor activity, nothing beats a neighborhood walk. And residents of Modesto are stepping up with creative ways to make walks even more enjoyable. On Duchess Court in north Modesto, residents created a colorful piece of chalk art on a fence and an exercise area on the asphalt. There are squares on which walkers are directed to do jumping jacks, squats, arm windmills and more. Perfect for wearing out the little ones!
In some neighborhoods, residents have jumped on an idea shared on NextDoor. They’re putting teddy bears and other stuffed animals in front windows and on porches so children can go on a “bear hunt” while out for a walk. Just some of the participating streets are Veranda Way, Trellis Court, Bridgewood Way, Acclaim Way, Orchestra Place, Chancellor Avenue, Fernview Drive and Avanel Drive.
Also on Avanel, Avery Gales and her little brother, James, entertained themselves and uplifted passers-by with pictures and messages they wrote in chalk on their sidewalk. “We will be OK,” they wrote. “Be safe! Be happy!” “We’re all in this together!” And the all important “Wash your hands!”
“We’re just trying to make the world a better place and calm people down,” 10-year-old Avery said, “and just let everyone know that it’s gonna be OK.”
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 2:57 PM.
