In times of social distancing, some safe ways to recreate

With Montana in its second week of Governor Steve Bullock’s shelter in place/stay at home order, many across the state find themselves beginning to feel a bit stir crazy. In a state with a strong connection to the outdoors and outdoor activities, many find themselves asking what outdoor recreation can still be enjoyed while staying safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the answer is quite a few things, if certain precautions are followed.

Before choosing a particular activity, it is important to know what local health officials are saying and what restrictions are in place in your area. Know what areas are closed (like Glacier National Park) before you go there and have to end up turning around. If you choose an area for a walk or hike and find it crowded, find another place. Popular places might still be crowded. A study by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy last week found as much as a 200% increase in the use of popular trails around the country and an almost 500% increase on biking trails.

No matter what activity is chosen, there are several important things to keep in mind while recreating. Make sure to adhere to social distancing guidelines by keeping a six-foot distance from other people and stick to doing outdoor activities alone or with members of your household.

Another important thing to remember is to is to avoid touching surfaces such as handrails or crosswalk buttons and then touching your face. Carrying and using hand sanitizer is one way to cut down on possible contamination.

With these precautions in mind, here are some outdoor activities that people can enjoy to get some exercise and fresh air.

Walking

Probably to most accessible activity to everyone right now, it is still important to limit contact with others. While there are numerous popular areas nearby, such as the Swan River Nature Trail and other trails in the Jewel Basin and Bob Marshall and Swan Wildreness areas, make sure to choose less traveled paths during off hours to avoid large crowds. Avoid using public restrooms or other shared facilities when possible. Carry hand sanitizer and wipes and limit contact with items touched by others.

Hiking

Hiking is another way to out of the house and get some exercise, but make sure to stick to a less strenuous hike to avoid injury and trips to the hospital.

Despite Glacier National Park being closed, there are still numerous places in the area to hike, just make sure to avoid crowded areas. The Flathead National Forest is keeping its ranger stations open right now, but is asking visitors to ask themselves three questions before planning a visit. One: Have you or anyone who has been near you come into contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19? Two: In the last 14 days have you or anyone close to you come into contact with someone who recently traveled to a CDC Level 2 country or a State Department level 3 or 4 country such as China, Korea, Japan or the European Union? Three: Do you currently have, or have had within the past 24 hours, any cold or flu symptoms such as a fever above 100.4, shortness of breath, body aches or coughing? If the answer to all of these questions is no, then visitors may call the ranger station to set up a visit.

Biking

Steer clear of crowds and make sure to bring a water bottle to limit unnecessary stops at convenience stores. Take it easy to avoid injury.

Gardening

Working in your own garden is a great way to get out of the house and do something productive, but it is better to stick to working in your own garden then visiting a community one at this time.

Boating

Make sure that all surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned and that social distancing guidelines are followed. Stick to household members only on a boat. While Montana has not yet put restrictions on boat usage, other states like Florida already have. Florida has restricted its residents to no more than 10 people on a boat with a minimum distance of 50 feet between boats.

Activities to avoid

Group and contact sports such as football, basketball, volleyball and others should be avoided.

Anything where more than one person is touching the same object should be avoided to minimize possible transmission. This also includes sports such as tennis, where both players would touch the same ball. Parents should also avoid taking their children to play in areas where others may have been, such as playgrounds. While tempting, some playground surfaces can keep the COVID-19 virus viable for long periods of time.

While outside activities are more important than ever to maintain physical and mental health, it is up to everyone to enjoy them safely and responsibly. ¦