Is it safe to walk, run and hike outdoors during the coronavirus crisis? Here's what experts say, by Korin Miller

......What can you do to be safe when you exercise outside?

Experts stress that exercising outside definitely has its perks—especially right now when so many people are cooped up inside. But you  need to be smart about it. Here’s what they recommend.

·         Stay at least six feet from other people: That includes people you’re passing and ones you’re running behind, Weisfuse says. If you like to run with a buddy, make sure they’re at least six feet away at all times, too, he says.

·         Don’t run directly behind people. It can be hard not to run behind other people, but you’ll want to maintain a six feet distance and try to not be directly behind them, Weisfuse says. If you can run at an angle to them, even better, he says.

·         Bring your own water bottle. If you touch a water fountain and then touch your nose, mouth, or eyes, with your unwashed hands, you could risk infecting yourself, Cennimo says. So, BYO.

·         Try to run during off-peak hours. There have been plenty of reports of crowded parks, which Cennimo says is “disconcerting.” So, try to run when less people are out—early morning or during normal work hours—to make social distancing a little easier.

·         Change your route if others aren’t being safe. If you notice someone following too close or doing unsafe practices near you, try to change your route, Weisfuse says. You can’t control what other people do, but you can control whether you’re around them.

·         Wash your hands as soon as you get home. This is a good practice for any time you return home from being out, Weisfuse says.

·         Take off your clothes and shower. SARS-CoV-2 can live on surfaces, including your clothes, for hours. So, Weisfuse recommends taking off your clothes and putting them directly in the washing machine when you get home. Then, shower — and wash your face while you’re at it. “If anyone was potentially exposed to infectious secretions, through a cough, sneeze, or spit, they should wash ASAP,” Cennimo says.

If you love to exercise outside, it’s OK to keep doing so, provided you’re smart about it and your local health authorities still allow it. And, of course, there are perks of doing it. “Exercise could be a good stress outlet for people in quarantine, while also just being good for general health,” says Cennimo. “It does need to be done in a safe manner, though.”......

EN: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/running-coronavirus-210040863.html