She suggests you choose a of these essential places to visit, then avoid the rest to limit your exposures to others. For example, if you go to your polling station to vote, do not also go out to eat that night or to have your hair cut. The more you visit public places, the more likely you are to become infected or to infect others.
Restaurants
Wearing a mask is clearly not practical when you are dining.
Choose to sit outside: If a restaurant has outdoor seating, ask to sit there, at least 6 feet from other guests. The virus circulates more effectively in confined spaces when you are around the same people for long periods, said Wen - even for the duration of a dinner.
Consult their security protocols: Dr. David Aronoff, director of the infectious disease division at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and professor of medicine, suggests looking into the restaurant's safety protocol before you leave. Are employees properly equipped with masks? Are the tables sufficiently spaced? If you don't feel safe or comfortable eating there, rethink it or order takeout.
Wash your hands: Remember to wash your hands on arrival and before eating. But this advice should survive the pandemic.
Beaches and parks
There is nothing inherently wrong with being outside. In fact, spending time outside is a great way to de-stress in this bizarre time, says Aronoff - a s as long as you do it safely.
Follow the guidelines: Many beaches reopen for walking, running or surfing, and these are OK to do while you're there, as long as you can keep your distance from others. Just don't try to sunbathe or lounge around.
Whether you are at the beach or in a public park, it is good to work alone or with another member of your household, if you isolate yourself together, says Aronoff.
Know when there are too many people to stay: If you arrive on a crowded beach or park and can't stand 6 feet from others, turn around.
To avoid Games: Also avoid playing team sports like basketball or beach volleyball, advises Aronoff. Group meetings are still not recommended and these sports require close contact.
Gyms
There are certainly risks associated with training in a gym: people breathe heavily while they exercise in an enclosed space, sweating and touching shared equipment.
This is not to say that you cannot make it work.
Choose machines away from other gymnasts: Think of two or three treadmills apart (and always at least 6 feet), suggests Wen. Gym owners should alleviate this by limiting the number of members allowed in one space at a time.
Wipe them: If you use free weights, wipe them off before and after use. If the gym doesn't have wipes, bring your own. The same goes for machines after they are used, said Wen.
Avoid group lessons: It is wise to avoid group fitness classes at this time, she says. But if you have to attend or lead one, it may be safer to do them outside, where you can maintain some distance.
Trade fairs
It's impossible to keep 6 feet away from a hairstylist or nail technician, so think about it before you go - it already puts you and the employee at higher risk.
Consult the security protocols: Are the workstations in the salon or hair salon properly separated? Do employees wear masks or face shields, gloves and gowns? Do they disinfect tools between clients? Are employees regularly screened for symptoms? If you're already working closely with employees, you'll want to eliminate other risks, said Wen.
Wait outside: While you wait for your date, sit outside, away from other people, until it is safe to enter, said Wen.
Submit to temperature control: In Georgia, where salons have been able to reopen, businesses are encouraged to use a contactless thermometer to monitor customers. Anyone with a temperature above 99 degrees will be sent home in accordance with these guidelines.
Public transportation and carpooling
Ask yourself before driving: should I absolutely use this service for an essential task? Will I take her to visit a must-see place?
If the answer is no, don't go, said Wen.
Consider alternatives: "Reserve public transport for those who have to use it," such as essential workers, she said. And if you don't need it, consider other forms of transportation, such as walking, biking, or taking your own car if you have one.
Look at the rush hours: If you are someone who needs to use public transportation, Wen suggests looking into peak service hours. If there are fewer people at a certain time, try hitchhiking at that time.
Watch what you touch: And pay attention to each surface you touch. You may need to hold a handrail or close a car door, but be careful not to touch your face with your hands before washing them.
The airports
Airports are now more empty, but many have closed some security checkpoints to regroup staff. You may need to queue, so keep your distance from others and keep your mask unless an ASD officer instructs you to remove it.
Limit your contact in the terminal: If you can, stay away from other passengers waiting to board. Bring your own food if you are afraid of hunger - many restaurants and terminal stores are closed.
Wear wipes: You can carry disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizers in your carry-on baggage, so keep them handy when you board your plane. You'll want to wipe down the tray table, the seat belt buckle, the ventilation above your head - everything a previous passenger could have touched throughout the flight.
If possible, sit down: And if you can help, try not to sit in the same row as another person. At least one airline - Alaska Airlines - offers reimbursement to passengers if they cannot seat them away from other people.
The clinics
Throughout the pandemic, doctors asked people to postpone non-essential health care visits. But many clinics are starting again now.
Pay attention to your environment: If you have an appointment, be careful in the waiting room. Try to sit 6 feet from others and avoid touching those guest magazines or books several months old - anything others could have touched.
Leave unnecessary guests at home: If you can avoid bringing your children, your partner, or a friend with you to the clinic, you should. In this way, they will limit their exposure to other people and will not potentially infect others.
Call before you go: And always call your doctor's office before entering or making an appointment. They may ask you questions about your symptoms before allowing you to enter, or they may have temporarily transitioned to telehealth by now.
Polling places
Voting requires a lot of contact. If you cannot mail your ballot, follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for voting in person.
Keep your distance: As always, stay 6 feet from other voters when you wait in line or in the cabins. And there should be a hand sanitizer (remember, it must contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective) that you can use before and after using a voting machine or filling out your ballot.
Take into account off-peak hours: If you can, come to the polling station outside office hours, when fewer voters are brought with you to the room.
Post office
Before visiting your local U.S. Postal Service branch, see if you can supplement your service online. You can buy stamps and change postal addresses online or by mail without visiting in person.
Respect the protocols: But if you must enter, keep your distance from other customers. Your waiting time may be delayed because of this.
You can interact with employees behind "sneeze guards", clear barriers that separate you. This is a good thing - the USPS has installed these across the country, and they will not interfere with your transaction.
Wash your hands later: Of course, wash your hands before and after your visit. Mail is not supposed to host the coronavirus, but the use of payment terminals and shared pens in the office could expose you.
Grocery
Supermarkets were one of the only places where people could go before the states start to reopen. You will still need to practice social distancing while you are there now.
Plan your trip: Bring a list of the foods you are there to get. It is good to have a general idea of where they are in the store so as not to spend more time in the store than necessary. Some ingredients are out of stock, so prepare backups.
Wipe carts and baskets: Use a disinfectant wipe to clean handles that another customer may have touched.
Follow the traffic flow: Many stores have imposed one-way traffic in the aisles to avoid tight cuts. The directions are not always simple, so look for arrows on the ground to orient yourself.
