Is it still safe to go outside? It better be.
A maze of trails amidst tall trees in East Atlanta.
There seems to be a lot of confusion these days on what all of these bans, advisories, and orders allow for. Going outside is an important part of me maintaining my sanity and I know the same goes for others. If we lose that ability we’re really screwed.
In the last several days many places have enacted “shelter-in-place” type policies to encourage people to avoid any non-essential travel and interaction. The long and short of it all is to stay. the. fuck. home. Basically if we can all just stay calm and stay home we can reduce the spread of transmission and flatten the curve. I’ve been seriously heeding this advice, only going between our house and our family’s. The only other place you’ll catch me is outside, walking the neighborhood streets of East Atlanta, traversing through the local parks and hidden trails tucked back behind local residences.
Just this week I’ve discovered three new-to-me nature preserves nestled within a 10 block radius of our temporary home, and I’ve had them all to myself. Going out for a daily walk allows me to clear my head, enjoy the sounds of spring, or catch up with friends and family over the phone. I’ve even attempted to start jogging again to help combat this vacation-turned-pandemic weight that keeps piling on (I blame all the carbs and some of the the wine). The opportunity to stretch my legs during the day and take a break from screen time is critical to my mental and physical health and wellbeing. Recently though, the question has been asked whether we’re still allowed to go outside and enjoy such leisurely walks and physical activity.
On Martha’s Vineyard a stay-at-home order was approved by the local towns this week to effectively enforce social distancing. The order requires residents to remain in their houses, but they can also go outside for recreation, as long as they are not in groups of five or more. I spent some of my work day today trying to make sense of these restrictions as it related to promoting the protected trails of one of my clients, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, a local conservation organization on-Island.
It’s relatively easy to honor social distancing outside on Martha’s Vineyard, as many of the protected properties sit on multiple acres of land and much of the Island’s 200+ hundred miles of nature trails are located in rural areas. Then there’s the 100+ miles of shoreline that is (still) free to roam. The thing I miss most on being on the Vineyard right now is the opportunity to be hiking those trails, and walking that coast, while deeply inhaling the fresh, salty ocean air and enjoying the incredible natural beauty that abounds. Ahhhh, I can almost smell it!
Here in Atlanta we’re also under a shelter-in-place order that allows the Beltline and city parks to be on the short list of those things that remain open. Outdoor activities like walking, hiking, and running are allowed, as long as people maintain a proper social distance (restrictions that many people were not upholding the last time we drove past the Beltline…). While the city doesn’t quite rival Martha’s Vineyard in terms of the safety and solitude it provides, our quaint neighborhood provides enough space and scenery for my coveted outdoor time. As long as I can continue to have that I can keep telling myself it’s all going to be OK.
Today’s Headlines: Atlanta ICU beds are already at capacity, Governor Baker orders all Mass. schools stay closed until May 4, More than 200 deaths reported today, the deadliest day so far
Best moment of the day: Singing our friend Louise “Happy Birthday” via video conference. Everyone (but us) was able to provide a candle to blow out in unison. We didn’t have a flame but we were able to present her with a mini bouquet of felt flowers.
Saddest thing I saw: This video of an ER doctor in Queens giving a rare look inside a hospital at the center of the pandemic.
Best thing I saw: More videos of my nephew Mason enjoying the good life in Santa Barbara. Oh how I envy a two-year old who remains totally happy and completely oblivious to the crumbling world around him.