As summer approaches in Modesto, here are tips to stay safe outside, avoid coronavirus
Summer weather is here! After nearly three months of sheltering-in-place, Modesto area residents are antsy to get out.
But, what activities are safe, or at least safer, to do?
As of June 4, large gatherings and venues are not permitted, so most summertime county fairs, concerts and festivals have been canceled or postponed.
But, as Stanislaus County is entering its third week of a deeper move into Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Phase 2 reopening plan, the loosening of activities is creating more questions.
On Saturday, Stanislaus County residents will be able to camp, swim and hang out at the shoreline of its reservoirs. Is it OK to swim? How do we handle other summertime activities like backyard barbecues, youth sports and farmers markets?
Here are some answers to those questions.
Can friends come over for a barbecue?
Having a small gathering should be low risk, if the group is no bigger than the space available to allow social distancing. So, it may be best to invite only one other family. Ideally, keep the party outdoors, as it is less risk than indoors for spreading the virus.
Other tips: wrap utensils in a napkin at least 24 hours before the party to minimize the chance of viral contamination. Avoid sharing food, condiments, drinks and utensils, though the food is not likely a risk.
Can you go swimming or rafting?
There is not evidence that the virus can be transmitted by the water in pools, lakes, rivers or the ocean.
In addition, the chlorine and bromine used in most pools kill the coronavirus, so backyard pools and public pools are low risk, as long as social distancing can be maintained. In public swimming areas, avoid close contact with others including in the pool, changing rooms, bathrooms and sitting areas.
Public pools are expected to open when the county progresses into Phase 3 of reopening.
River rafting and other water sports are permissible, but not in large groups, to promote social distancing. Only people from the same household should be in a raft and rafts should not be tied together or in close proximity.
Not all river recreational areas or rafting companies are open, but some areas are planning to start operations this weekend. California state park website encourages people to visit recreational areas close to their homes.
Can you go to the farmers market?
Local farmers markets are open, but have implemented restrictions to minimize risk of spreading the virus. Big changes include no sampling and no handling the produce; instead it may be prepackaged or given to you by the vendor. For review of changes at the Modesto Farmers Market, see Marijke Rowland’s story.
Continue to follow CDC guidance for shopping at the farmers market, or anywhere, especially diligence with social distancing, hand hygiene and not touching your face. The food itself is minimal risk for transmitting the virus, according to the CDC. However, Food and Wine magazine recommends thoroughly washing produce.
Can you go to parks?
Going to neighborhood parks is a great change of scenery and allows for physical activity for all ages. But again, avoid crowded areas.
Health experts caution against the use of playground equipment, because kids frequently touch everything, including their faces, increasing their risk of getting infected.
All Stanislaus County community parks are open. Modesto Reservoir is open only to Stanislaus County residents to help limit the number of visitors. Starting June 6, shoreline swimming will be permitted.
On June 6, Woodward and La Grange Reservoirs will open, with restrictions. Woodward Reservoir will also be limited to Stanislaus County residents, but La Grange will be open to all. Frank Raines OHV (off-highway vehicle) will remain closed until fall.
The most up-to-date information about county parks is available on its Facebook page.
For California state parks, outdoor areas are reopening in phases consistent with regional public health recommendations. Outdoor museums, open air galleries and botanical gardens, but not zoos, are allowed to open, with restrictions. As of June 1, campgrounds and indoor facilities, such as museums and visitor centers, remain closed.
Many, but not all, national parks are re-opening. Checking its status before heading to a park is recommended. For some parks and hiking trails, crowd control has been challenging, in part because fewer rangers and volunteers are present.
Yosemite National Park remains closed to visitors, with the exception of backpackers with existing wilderness permits and permits to hike Half Dome starting on June 5.
Can you go to the beach?
Most of California beaches are open for active recreation, such as running, surfing, boogie boarding and other water sports, though most parking lots and piers remain closed. As of June 1, sunbathing and sitting still on the sand is permitted only in San Diego County.
Can you travel?
“Californians should not travel significant distances and should stay close to their homes,” according to a May 7 directive from Dr. Angell, state public heath officer.
But, as the state – and the nation – continue to open, traveling is getting easier and may be more affordable, as travel-related companies are seeking customers. Check before heading to a destination to know their status and what activities are permitted. For example, Hawaii has a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all tourists arriving through June 30.
Most major hotel and motel chains in the U.S. have instituted additional cleaning and disinfecting procedures at their facility to help woo back travelers, according to a report from Business Insider.
Theme parks are part of the Phase 3 re-openings in California, which means opening dates vary by county. All theme parks will have restrictions, including limited capacity, social distancing and some plan to mandate face coverings, among other requirements, according to the blog undercovertourist.com.
If you’re considering a staycation, some nearby hotels may offer a change of scenery including an open pool (in the near future) or other amenities that afford the vacation feeling, without going far from home.
Can kids go to summer camps?
The majority of youth summer camps are not happening this summer. However, the CDC issued a decision tool to help camp directors assess if opening their camps is feasible, within the constructs of local public health guidance. The main parameter in planning to open is the ability to ensure and monitor the safety and health of campers and staff before and during camp.
Following the CDC guidance, the American Camp Association issued an 82-page field guide to prepare for opening and maintaining camp programs, in anticipation that some camps will open.
What sports can you do?
Group sports are high risk, regardless of the age of participants, but especially for younger children as they are more likely to forego social distancing. Sports geared for individuals, such as tennis and golf, are lower risk for contacting the virus, compared to close contact sports, such as basketball and wrestling.
The CDC guidance emphasizes the assessing the risk of sports participation, with lowest risk being non-contact individual drills and conditioning, and the highest risk being large group sports competing with other large groups from a different geographic area. Good2Go Stanislaus guidance for reopening follows the CDC recommendations for youth sports.
Remember, healthy household members can participate in activities together without the need for social distancing or face coverings, including activities outside of the house if they maintain social distancing from others.
Important issues to remember
Lastly, don’t forget, the pandemic isn’t over so no out-of-the-house activity is completely free of possible exposure to the novel coronavirus. So, a few factors should be considered in determining the risks of venturing out.
First is your personal status, including age and underlying health. Individuals 65 and older and those with pre-existing health conditions have increased risk for severe COVID-19, and they are encouraged to continue the “stay-at-home” directive.
Next consideration is the prevalence of the coronavirus in the community or planned destination. The more people infected, the higher the chance of exposure. Person-to-person is the main way the virus is spread.
For any activity, follow CDC guidance to help decrease your risk of catching or spreading the coronavirus:
- Stay home if you are ill, unless you’re seeking medical care
- Maintain cough and hand hygiene
- Clean and disinfect any surfaces
- Maintain social distancing of 6 feet — this is based upon the distance viruses can be aerosolized.
- Wear face coverings — mouth and nose coverings decrease the amount of particles aerosolized. Thus, the reason surgeons wear masks to protect patients during operations. This is not mandatory in all communities, but encouraged by public health officials.
Have any other questions? Email health reporter ChrisAnna Mink, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, at cmink@modbee.com.
This story was produced with financial support from The Stanislaus County Office of Education and the Stanislaus Community Foundation, along with the GroundTruth Project’s Report for America initiative. The Modesto Bee maintains full editorial control of this work.
To help fund The Bee’s children’s health and economic development reporters with Report for America, go to bitly.com/ModbeeRFA
