If my state doesn’t have a shelter in place policy can I still go outside?
Anika H. Ahmed, MD
During the Coronavirus pandemic, the terms “lockdown”, “shelter in place”, and “stay at home” are being used on a daily basis across the globe. Some countries like China and India have a strict “lockdown” during which one resident from a household is allowed to leave every 72 hours to get essentials like groceries and medicine. “Shelter in place” and “Stay at home” are more interchangeable and both ask residents to stay home as much as possible and avoid being out in public during a pandemic, to minimize exposure and potential serious illness.
Some states are now easing up on stay at home policies. Under those circumstances, people are allowed to go outside but are still advised to practice social distancing and the highest standards of personal hygiene, especially of their hands. Although some cities, towns, and states may have been fortunate enough not to have been hit hard by COVID-19, caution is still advised when out in the public. While outside the home for work or for pleasure, one must remember that COVID-19 is spread through close human to human contact. The key to controlling this COVID-19 pandemic has been social distancing of 6 feet, frequent hand washing, minimal touching of hard surfaces, covering your face with a mask especially in confined spaces, frequent cleaning of hard surfaces with disinfectants, covering all coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, avoiding close interaction with anyone sick with Coronavirus, and practicing self-quarantine in case of exposure.
If the state does not have a shelter in place policy, normal daily routines can be carried out while leaving the safe environment of home, but a cautious approach is highly encouraged. Remember to avoid larger gatherings like concerts, sports events, seminars, and conferences that could have large groups of people. The lesser the interaction with others, the safer the person shall be. Keeping safe and healthy should be every person’s responsibility and keeping safe from the Coronavirus requires minimal contact with others and excellent personal hygiene. Coronavirus or no Coronavirus, a cautious and hygienic lifestyle, with wise interactions with others, should be the golden rule for a healthy lifestyle.