新颖的冠状病毒（或covid-19）已经主导了头条新闻，并且需要遏制传染性病毒的传播，即“扁平曲线”。但是，诸如“社会疏远”和“现场庇护所”之类的术语引起了一些困惑：最大的问题之一是是否是venturing outside for a walkis still advisable (and allowed). The short answer is “yes, walking is allowed unless you (or someone in your household is sick), in which case you should stay home,” says Craig Janes, PhD, director of the school of public health at the University of Waterloo.
WHAT SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SHELTER-IN-PLACE MEAN FOR WALKS
Since the rules and regulations are rapidly changing, it’s always a good idea to check a reliable source such as theCDC website, but for now “you are mostly allowed to take a walk,” says Janes.
In many cities, like Seattle, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Chicago and Kansas City, local authorities have announced shelter-in-place orders (also called stay at home or safer at home orders) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. This means you should only leave your home for essential needs such as going to the doctor or grocery shopping. However,outdoor exerciseis still permitted provided you follow social distancing guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventiondefinessocial distancing as maintaining a separation of six feet from other people.
In California, Santa Clara County Public Health noted an exemption to itsshelter-in-place restrictionsthat residents may leave their homes, “to engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements … by way of example and without limitation,步行,hiking要么跑步.”
在法国这样的某些地方，有一定的距离，可以散步或慢跑 - 距离您家2公里或1.2英里。在英国，锻炼目前每天仅限一次。
In Italy, which is under a country-wide lockdown, there are even tighter restrictions and you can now only take the dog for a walk within a 200-meter radius of your home. Otherwise, if you do not have a dog or an essential need to go outdoors, you must stay at home (except to go to the doctor or get groceries). If that’s the case and you need to get steps indoors,尝试这些在家选项.
散步如何提高您的健康状况
Janes说：“在新鲜空气中散步在外面有益于您的身心健康。”它不仅可以帮助您strengthen your heart, lungs and muscles, but it can also提高情绪水平,increase energy levels和帮助减轻抑郁症.
更重要的是，spending time in naturecan be especially helpful during stressful life events, according toresearch published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Even just a10-minute walk可能对您的健康有益，这是something the whole family can enjoy.
牢记的安全提示
避免使用流行的步行路线，而不是拥挤的替代方案，并在街上过马路，或者如果其他步行者也在路上，则提供广泛的泊位。您对社交疏远的承诺不仅保护了其他日常散步的人，而且还可以保护您的安全。
It appears the virus can remain suspended in the air for about 30 minutes, according to new研究发表在《新英格兰医学杂志》上, which means walking past someone who sneezes or coughs could expose you to the virus.
Janes also warns that the virus can live on plastic and stainless steel so avoid the drinking from a water fountain and touching benches in the park. After you come home, be sure to wash your hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds.
THE BOTTOM LINE
“It looks like we are going to be dealing with the virus for a while so the more we can think aboutstaying healthy，越好。”简斯说。这health benefits of regular movement, including a每天步行，这是CDC列出定期练习的原因之一stretching和meditationas importantstrategiestomanage stress and anxiety在大流行期间。
Whether you’re abeginner or more advanced, walking is an easily accessible and versatile form of exercise. “Just be careful, maintain distance from other walkers, avoid touching surfaces [outdoors], practice good hygiene and enjoy your walk,” says Janes.
