Experts recommend that even healthy people should stay inside as the coronavirus outbreak spreads. Explore our list of 50 things to do this fall. All lakefront parks west of Lake Shore Drive are opened to the public, including Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park, Harold Washington Park, and Jackson Park, as well as the Jackson Park Golf Course and Diversey Driving Range. If you decide to engage in public activities, continue to protect yourself by practicing everyday preventive actions. Experiencing lots of "family togetherness" during the Coronavirus pandemic? It's just not realistic (or conducive to good mental or emotional health) to live like that.Â, Given that, it's smart to educate yourself on the risks of different activities you may participate in and weigh the risks wisely. There’s nothing more important to us than your health and safety. For example, a quick trim done on dry hair is much faster than getting highlights or color, for example. With government and public health experts urging more Americans to stay home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, many are desperate to get outside. If you are going to socialize, gathering with friends outside is the best way to do this. If you have friends over at your home, be sure to ask everyone to wear a mask and limit the number of people so you can remain properly spaced apart. Here are some options that are still available.) These things are relatively safe to do during coronavirus pandemic: small picnic,drive-in movie, ordering take-out food, chat with friends outside.  "I count parks as low risk environments as long as you are wearing masks and keeping that six-foot rule. Walk in nature. 3. These are the riskiest and safest things to do right now, according to an MD and the CDC. Getting together with friends inside depends again on the number of people, how well you know them and the amount of exposure they've had leading up to coming into contact with you. When you're outside, fresh air is constantly moving, dispersing these droplets. I've seen some city parks that have paint on the grass to help distance people, but they need to follow those rules," Kesh says. with safe social distancing. Just like if you are having friends over indoors, limit the number of people so you can social distance appropriately. "The salon shouldn't be crowded, it should be well-ventilated and they should keep the doors and windows open so there is good airflow. The list is divided by things you can do outside and online. And hopefully everyone is wearing a mask, but again if the mask is off while you are eating, there is still a risk, even though it's lower. 9 Things You Can Do While Hiding Out From COVID-19 . Eating outdoors, if you are able to social distance correctly and avoid crowded areas, is much less risky than eating inside. Our publisher, Debra Ross, says, "Some of the best parenting advice I ever received was: 'When it rains, play in the rain.' Make this simple DIY ball ramp game. COVID-19: How to Stay Safe During Outdoor Activities. "Bars are noisy, so you're yelling your drink order at the bar tender and other people are right by you -- it's really a perfect environment for that shared air space which we get so worried about," Kesh says. The below activities are ranked in order from highest to lowest risk of the chance you could become infected or infect someone else with the virus. All of these places that are indoors need to stay on top of changing their AC filters, make sure they have a good HVAC system, have good exhaust fans in the bathrooms and the other places where we've seen the potential for transmission. Gov. If you are outside, it's much more likely that anything in the air will disperse quicker, meaning there's less of a chance that you breath in infected air particles.Â, You are also going to be around people who are largely not wearing masks and covering their faces, since it's pretty hard to keep a mask on while you eat. Learn more about what’s open in Chicago below. "Airports tend to be high-stress places. Advanced ticketing/reservations are encouraged whenever possible. Finally, being around servers is also a risk since you will be talking to and interacting them at a close proximity pretty frequently.Â, Your best bet is to opt for takeout and eat at home. Although most experts agree there's no problem with going outside, there are some precautions you need to take. If you go to a park, be sure to maintain social distancing and wear a mask. Learn how to meditate. Here are 100 things to do during the quarantine. ", Be sure to sit at tables that are well spaced apart. Flying is considered one of the highest risk activities you can do during COVID-19. hair/nail salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors), Public transit, regional transit, taxis and rideshare, Office-based jobs, professional services, and real estate services, Hospitals, dentists, and community mental health centers, Social gatherings are temporarily limited to 25 people or 25% room capacity (whichever is less) for both indoors and outdoors, Outdoor dining, carryout, and delivery are allowed at restaurants/bars. Under the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, you can still walk, run, bike and hike outside, as long as you take the proper precautions. Check with airlines to see who is taking the virus more seriously and ideally is limiting capacity, in addition to doing more deep-cleaning.Â, When you get on the plane, be sure to wipe down your seat and tray with disinfectant wipes. Eating inside at a restaurant can be risky for a few different reasons. Then they have a few drinks and they relax even more so the masks come off and everyone gets closer together, then before you know it everyone is having face-to-face conversations without a mask on," Kesh says. Grocery shopping can be relatively safe if you are careful and avoid crowded stores. You should wear your own mask as much as possible, especially when talking or waiting for your food.Â. Bars that don’t serve food can offer outdoor seating and takeout/delivery. Things to do outside in Tampa Bay while maintaining a safe social distance With great weather and all the attractions closed amid the coronavirus pandemic, here’s what you can still do… Being outside offers other benefits, too. As the nation grapples with this crisis and people are encouraged to stay home, this page is intended to help you pass the time and consider ways to give back to the hospitality community, even if you can’t do it in person. Check that the restaurant you are going to is prioritizing sanitation, employee hygiene and that all staff wears masks. First, being inside and around others puts you at risk of exposure to people carrying the virus. The less frequently you expose yourself to risky situations, the less likely you are to contract the virus. Guidelines include: © 2021 Choose Chicago. This is essentially what a haircut is, since you are required to be very close to a hairstylist who may or may not be carrying the virus for prolonged periods of time.Â. Many health experts suggest that indoor social gatherings are driving the recent uptick in cases of COVID-19. Check out online activities, take-out restaurants & more. All parks and beaches east of Lake Shore Drive remain closed. So, let’s talk about some free things to do with kids! For example, the CDC recommends keeping a … Kids Under 5. However, in order to be served, diners must order at least one food item if they want to order a drink as well. Whether you dine inside or outside, you should make sure that the area is not crowded.Â. Check out the latest hotel special offers for deals and discounts. Things to do These virtual, outdoor events celebrate MLK Day in Charlotte during COVID-19 By Heidi Finley. Indoor capacity is limited to allow for social distancing. "Outdoors viral particles and droplets disperse in open air much more quickly. It's much easier to spread the virus inside since people are likely gathered closer together, talking and touching surfaces like doors, tables, chairs and more. Those face-to-face conversations can easily transmit the virus from one person to the next. ; Most public gatherings are currently cancelled until further notice. Chicago’s museums, restaurants, parks, and more are currently open with new safety precautions, limited capacities, and contactless entry options. Some outdoor dining areas have plexiglass or plastic dividers in between tables, which is even better. Check our what’s open page for more details. So if we do all of those things the right way, the gym can be a low to medium risk area," Kesh says. 2. "Some people will say if you feel well enough to go to the gym, then you won't be affected. In this case, totally avoiding bars is the best way to reduce risk. If you can bring a seat cover, that is even better. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. You may also encounter many people on the way to and from the park, which you should take into consideration. All restaurants and bars are currently closed from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day until further notice. Going to a park is a lower-risk activity since it is outdoors and ideally, you have more space between you and others. Indoor dining is allowed at establishments that serve food, with limited capacity. Looking for safe things to do during the coronavirus pandemic? During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re committed to the safety of our visitors and locals. If you are immunocompromised for example, or live with someone who is, then you probably want to steer clear from anything on the list below that is considered higher risk.Â, It's better to do as few medium to high risk activities as possible. The chances that sanitary measures are a priority at most bars is not great -- some may do better than others, but still the risk is there. Play free games featuring Elmo, Daniel Tiger and more at pbskids.org. Indoor museums, cultural institutions, and performance arts centers are currently open with limited capacity. Social distancing and face coverings are required whenever possible. It's a really terrific environment for one person to potentially infect the whole plane," Kesh says.Â, If you need to fly, you should wear a mask at all times. For ideas on what to do during your sudden Little Rhody staycation, read on! Keep these items on hand when venturing out: a mask, tissues, and a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if possible. Due to the lack of control you have in any environment outside your own home, the exact risk level is largely dependent on individual circumstances, like if your community has high infection rates. Personal services (e.g. If you turn on the fan above your head, that's the only air moving. Keep it limited to a close circle who you know have been responsible. Outdoor dining at restaurants in Philadelphia persists as of November 2020. Newsom reportedly directed state residents to read the list that includes activities like Badminton (singles), BMX biking, gardening (not in groups), car-washing and tree climbing… As of Thursday, about 7,700 people have become ill and 170 have died since the coronavirus was first detected last month in Wuhan, China, according to The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Privacy policy | Terms of use | Sitemap, in Gold Coast is now open; their spa is currently open for nail services, Chicago museums open now and opening soon, Top things to do for Valentine’s Day in Chicago, 10 hot shows from Chicago theatres to stream this January, 7 rooftop bars that are heating up Chicago this winter, New Year’s Eve dinner in Chicago: outdoor dining, takeout, and delivery options. Coronavirus: What to know about the coronavirus vaccine rollout in D.C., Maryland and Virginia Weather: Showers by late afternoon or evening, … And the thing that's harder to control is most people will not be wearing a mask when they are trying to workout, so then you are going to have a lot of forced exhaled air," Kesh says. If you go to the bathroom on the plane, be sure to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer when you touch anything that others could touch.Â. As COVID-19 social distancing and self quarantining continue, some of us may be going stir crazy not able to go and do the things we’re used to. with safe social distancing. March 13, 2020. Macy's 53rd annual holiday window theme will honor first responders and essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic as a "thank you," a press release said. Write a list of things you love about yourself — and make it long. According to Kesh, the most important thing to consider with grocery shopping is how crowded the store is. Experience a sound bath outside to double down on relaxation. The thing that's hard to control is what's happening in the environment," Kesh says. I won’t be doing that, because meditation isn’t for me, but I know it really helps others. KidsOutAndAbout.com provides over 250 ideas for making the most of your time together and avoid driving each other crazy. The other risk factor is hygiene -- when is the last time you went to a super clean bar? Probably not that much. Many salons are also limiting the number of clients that are allowed to be in the salon at once and some are requiring that all stylists and clients wear masks, which is important to ensure safety.Â, Besides checking that these measures are in place by calling before you arrive or book an appointment, what kind of appointment you have makes a difference too. The exception that could make this risky is if many people are crowded together, especially if there are people you don't really know. The goal of Phase Four of the Protecting Chicago plan is to continue cautiously reopening the city, while ensuring the safety of residents and visitors. Also look into the businesses safety guidelines and sanitation protocols -- does it seem like this restaurant is taking extra safety measures and taking the virus seriously? You can call beforehand and see if they are limiting people in the gym or ask how full it is before you go. Eating inside is risky for several reasons -- including the fact that diners need to remove face masks to eat. If you eat outside at a restaurant you should still practice social distancing and cover your face when you are not eating. "When you're sitting on a plane waiting for it to take off, there is no air movement. There are plenty of remarkable things about everyone I’ve ever met, so there are about you too. Think about it, how often are you putting yourself in close proximity (less than six feet) from a relative stranger for more than 15 minutes these days? © 2021 CNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. These activities are based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, as well as expert insight from infectious disease expert and MD Dr. Sandra Kesh. You should still wear masks while outside and encourage people to practice proper hand hygiene by letting them know where a sink is and providing hand sanitizer. But keep reading below for the activities that, in general, are riskiest to the safest. The Lakefront Trail is open for exercise and transit (walking, running, biking, etc.) Many things to do in Chicago are open to the public with additional safety measures and limited capacities. "The thing that makes the gym different from other places if you have a lot of people panting and we know that the more you exhale with force the farther those viral particles will go. Chicago restaurants are open for indoor and outdoor dining and takeout/delivery with appropriate safety measures. The main concern with eating outdoors is that you and others will have to remove their masks to eat and you will still have to be in contact with food servers or waitstaff. Gyms are not the ideal place to be since people breathe hard and exhale forcefully, making it easier to spread the virus. Kesh recommends making sure that the gym is not crowded when you go. Nothing about 2020 has been what anyone expected, and this fall will be no exception. The 606 is open for exercise and transit (walking, running, biking, etc.) Be sure to encourage people to keep their distance and ventilate your home by opening windows and using fans and the AC if you have it. 1. It's much better to visit with friends or family in an outdoor setting than inside. Open for indoor and outdoor dining, takeout, delivery, Last updated on January 23, 2021 by Choose Chicago. These quarantine ideas and fun activities for kids stuck at home will help you all avoid cabin fever. Find a quiet spot with no interruptions. Chicago museums and cultural institutions are reopening with limited capacity beginning Jan. 18, 2021. Why it's risky: It may seem harmless enough, but getting your haircut can put you at significant risk for getting infected. People are always worried about making their flight, going to the security checks -- there's a lot of distraction. Gyms are open with limited capacity and all patrons must wear masks. So you're less likely to breathe in enough of the respiratory droplets containing the virus that causes COVID-19 to become infected. Check with individual museums for reopening details, safety precautions, and ticketing information. For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the. The next best choice is dining outside. Try to book a flight that is less crowded, even if you have to go at a time that is not ideal. "With most of these activities there is relative risk and it depends largely on two things: the environment and what you do in that environment. The art kits consist of basic instructions and fun things to do and have been very well received. 2 Minute Read. Chicago is now in Phase Four of the city’s reopening plan, with some additional mitigations. There are things you can't do during the coronavirus outbreak, but luckily Fairfax is filled with tons of things you can do! This way you can limit how many people are there and who you come into contact with. But if the park is crowded and people are not wearing masks or social distancing, the risk level increases. Chicago’s music/performance venues and movie theatres are reopening with limited capacity beginning Jan. 18, 2021. If they have an air conditioner or fan, that should be on," Kesh says. And if your kids are anything like mine, they need to be entertained 24/7. The first problem is that drinking disinhibits you, making it more likely that you or those around you will forget to wear a mask or to social distance.Â. "People need to be much more spaced out and there needs to be good air ventilation and good air conditioning. Bring something comfy to lie or sit on and then … These are the riskiest and safest things to do right now, according to an MD and the CDC. Unless it's absolutely necessary, you should avoid air travel until there is a vaccine or treatment for the virus. When you need a change of scenery, but aren’t feeling a more intense workout, going for a walk is going to come in clutch. It's better to choose a store that limits the capacity and where you know you will feel more safe. Bars are fairly high-risk environments when it comes to COVID-19. Copy By: Beth Gillette; Feature Image By: @larkandlinen; As of this past Monday, The Everygirl office has been working from home amidst the coronavirus (or COVID-19) outbreak here in Chicago (and all over the country … and the world). But we know that most people aren't living that way and the rest of us have to interact with other people in some way during the pandemic, whether that's getting groceries or having food delivered. As we did in spring and summer, we’ll have to come up with new things to do in fall—fortunately, it was easy to find great spring activities and fun things to do in the summer during COVID-19. Even as our worlds are opening up more and a little bit of normalcy has come to our lives, many of us are still working from home and a lot of kids are attending school virtually to maintain social distancing efforts. So that's the situation where I would be more worried," Dr Kesh says.Â. Social distancing and face coverings are required whenever possible. So the kind of focus that we are able to maintain with social distancing, the masks and hand hygiene, it sometimes goes out the window because your attention is scattered, it's noisy and you're trying to figure out where to go. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Take a hike: Simple outdoor activities are no-brainers when it comes to … First of all, safety largely depends on how big the gym is, how crowded it is and how well you are able to distance yourself from others. Millennium Park has begun reopening, some amenities and attractions remain closed. January 13, 2021 11:43 AM, So even people who are well meaning, the rules tend to go by the wayside," Kesh says. Especially in a more controlled environment like your own backyard. But if you have been used to doing only low risk activities for so long and then all of the sudden you engage in multiple medium to high risk activities back-to-back (even if it's only a few days) you are still putting yourself at serious risk -- no matter how safe you have been for months. Let's face it -- much of the country is seeing a huge uptick in virus cases -- so you could be at more risk now than at the beginning of the pandemic, even though everything was shut down then.Â. The city continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation, while introducing health and safety measures to protect Chicagoans and visitors. Also, be very selective about who you invite over -- now is not the time to invite people you don't really know or trust. I know my typical color and cut appointment takes upwards of two hours, which is a long time to be around other people in a hair salon and in close proximity to a stylist.Â. But according to Kesh, bars are considered high-risk when it comes to your chance of contracting the virus. Chicago’s tours and outdoor attractions are open to enjoy with new safety and social distancing practices. Do sensory grounding activities. The other problem with airports is that you can encounter people from all over the world or country and those people could be coming from high-risk places and carrying the virus with them.Â, Once you are on the plane, it's almost impossible to stay six feet apart from others, even if no one is sitting near you. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order for the state of California amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. Also, this does not include group fitness classes or group training, which Kesh and the CDC say you should avoid for now. Agree there 's a lot of is when we are around our friends, tend. Go to the next than getting highlights or color, for example, the risk level increases Kesh! Into contact with don ’ t serve food and is taking other measures to good... Inside or outside, even if you things to do outside during coronavirus able to social distance.... And more at pbskids.org do While Hiding out from COVID-19 your haircut can put you at significant risk for infected! Most to least risky, some amenities and attractions remain closed our list of 50 things to do Chicago! The next be sure to wear a mask be since people breathe hard and exhale,... Which you should still practice social distancing, the things to do outside during coronavirus tend to.! 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Chicagoans and visitors with kids and avoid crowded areas, is much less risky than eating inside hotel.