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Summer usually entails fairs, festivals, and plenty of outside adventures. But as COVID-19 cases dramatically increase in St. Louis, residents should consider how to best prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus—even while outside. Larry Jones, executive director of the Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence, says you can still enjoy outdoor activities, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Photography courtesy of Larry Jones
Larry Jones
Larry Jones, MPH
1. Choose your activities wisely.
“Things that you might do with your family where you can do them as a family only will be your safest option because you won’t be around other people,” Jones says. "We also recommend that if you are getting out and going to activities that you go during the period of time that is the least crowded. If you want to do a float trip, pick one of the streams or rivers that is less used than some of the more popular streams. When you’re going fishing, feel free to be sure that you’re social distancing around that lake or pond or along that river.”
2. Avoid large gatherings when possible, and don’t be afraid to seek creative alternatives.
For those choosing to brave large gatherings, such as fairs this summer, forgoing a mask or gathering in close quarters increases one’s risk of both spreading and contracting the coronavirus.
“We know that any time we have a gathering of people together, we have the potential for the spread of the coronavirus, and we know that any time we increase that gathering to where you cannot have social distancing, you increase the risk even more,” Jones explains. “That’s why we keep emphasizing the need to wear masks, the need to keep social distancing, and the need to enjoy some of those activities without getting into those groups.”
Many community organizations are being proactive by already making changes to their programming to allow for social distancing. For example, many Fourth of July fireworks shows within the region asked spectators to watch from their cars or homes, fairs and festivals have been brought online, and summer camps have been remodeled or have even taken a fully virtual approach.
“We have seen our local health departments and the sponsors of these activities working together to figure out ways to make them safer,” Jones says.
3. Always wear a mask and social distance, even when outdoors.
With the resurgence of St. Louisans turning to local parks, hiking trails, and bike paths to find zen, these outdoor hot spots can often get congested. Even when enjoying fresh air, it’s still important to wear a mask and keep distance from others outside your household, according to Jones.
“[There’s] nothing wrong with going to a state park and there’s nothing wrong with getting on a trail,” Jones says. “What you need to continue to do, though, is make sure that as you’re on the trail that you are away from others, that you’re wearing your mask, and that when you’re in the park, you’re not gathering together in close groups and things of that nature.”
This includes dining, too. Sitting outdoors under social distancing guidelines is not a free pass to not to wear a mask.
“You’re not confining the virus as much when you’re outside, but you still need to participate in the same precautions,” Jones says. “You still need to have the social distance, and you still need to have a mask on when you’re not eating or drinking.”
Remember, proper mask usage requires the nose and mouth to be covered. Children under 2 years old are not required to wear a mask. Older children should do so if they are able.
4. Come prepared.
As recommended by the One for All Missouri campaign, when attending large gatherings such as festivals and fairs, one should always have a summer safety kit ready to go. In addition to usual summer must-haves like sunscreen and water, remember to also pack hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, tissues, and extra face masks.
“If you are going out for long periods of time and it’s very hot, you might be sweating and your mask may become wet, so take additional masks with you,” Jones recommends. “We know that as the mask gets wet, it will cling to you and that may be a little more difficult for you to use.
5. For those highly susceptible to the disease, some activities may not be worth the risk.
Jones says it’s not a bad thing to play it safe when it comes to COVID-19, especially for individuals at high risk. For these people, interactions with anybody outside their household should be strictly limited.
“I strongly recommend that if they are vulnerable to the disease, meaning that they have underlying medical conditions that would make them even higher risk, that they choose this year not to go [to large gatherings],” Jones says.
6. Remember, the coronavirus is not selective.
"With the number of increased cases [within the state], and with the fact that the numbers are really increasing among our younger population, it becomes more and more important for those who are young to wear masks to protect themselves and to protect those around them,” Jones says. “This virus does not respect anyone’s age or anything else—it is a virus that is very invasive.”
