People can now access some public places after months of social distancing and wearing masks due to the coronavirus. They have to decide for themselves which place is safe to go and which to avoid. There are risky activities, some high-risk, some low-risk. You must think first before doing them.
Public health experts' advice
MassLive spoke to four public health experts. They sought their advice on which activities are safe to do now that some places are opening again.
The four public health experts are:
- Dr. Matthew Sims, director of infectious disease research at Beaumont Health
- Dr. Dennis Cunningham, medical director for infection prevention at McLaren Health Care
- Dr. Mimi Emig, retired infectious disease specialist with Spectrum Health
- Dr. Nasir Husain, medical director for infection prevention at Henry Ford Macomb
There are five factors to consider to know the levels of exporsure to coronavirus of risky activities. Check whether it is outdoor or indoor, time exposed, and distance to others. You should also check the chances of compliance and personal level.
The doctors said that outdoor activities are likely safer. In outside activities, the virus does not circulate back, unlike indoors. The coronavirus also becomes less condensed. Activities that allow more close contact with others are unsafe for you. It includes playing ball sports or going to a music concert.
Experts also noted that being exposed to other people makes you unsafe. A person riding a bike has a lesser chance of being infected with the coronavirus. Those who sit with someone in an enclosed place for hours have a higher risk.
In some places, it is harder to enforce measures to prevent infection. Places that do not have to follow guidelines put activities in those places at higher risk. People should consider their age and condition before going to sites. Babies, the elderly, and those with a compromised immune system have to be careful when going out.
Dr. Sims said that there should be programs to reduce risky activities since there is no coronavirus vaccine yet. He added that you could not keep people's lives on hold forever. It affects the economy.
There may be exemptions to the rule. Going to churches may be unsafe, but it does not matter if the person sneezing beside you does not have the illness. The same idea goes to those low-risk activities. You may be unsafe if the people around you have the virus.
However, since a person may show no symptoms even if he is a carrier, it would be better to be safe than sorry. Experts' noted that people should take precautions to help reduce the chances of getting ill.
Risk levels of coronavirus activities
To give you an idea, here is a list of coronavirus activity risks that you have to consider before doing. They graded ten for the riskiest and one for the least risky.
Level 9
- Bars, large music concerts
- Sports stadiums
Level 8
- Gyms
- Amusement parks
- Churches
- Buffets
Level 7
- Basketball
- Public pools
- Schools
Level 6
- Casinos
- Indoor-seating restaurants
- Playgrounds
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Movie theaters
- Pontoon boat rides
Level 5
- Airplanes
- Dinner parties at a house
- Barbecues in the backyard
- Beaches
- Malls
- Bowling
Level 4
- Walking in a busy downtown
- Dentist's clinics
- Doctor's waiting rooms
- Offices
- Eating at restaurants
Level 3
- Camping
- Groceries
- Golfing
- Museums and libraries
Level 2
- Getting fuel
- Walking, biking, or running with others
Level 1
- Playing tennis
- Restaurant take-outs
