This isn’t exactly our normal “Running on Science” column, but we’re not exactly in normal times.
Along with race cancellations flooding in, 95% of the U.S. population is under shelter-in-place or similar orders and home-isolation mandates have been extended in many hard-hit countries in Europe, including Spain, Italy, and France. We’re working from home, homeschooling, running circles in our backyards, and Zooming–so much Zooming. We’re doing virtual races, taking part in personal-protective-equipment drives, learning to sew, and staring off into the unknown.
This is probably a good place to mention that my crystal ball is broken, so I will not be predicting the future. Instead, we will do our best to help guide you, our running community, as we move forward together into whatever that future becomes.
Updates to iRunFar’s COVID-19 Running Community Guide
Remember last month, when we published “COVID-19: A Trail Running and Ultrarunning Community Guide?” Turns out, a lot can–and did–happen in a month! Now, we’ve revised that guide, which you should definitely go re-read.
In summary, to it we added:
- New science details on COVID-19’s contagiousness and symptom seriousness;
- Recommendations for running responsibly;
- Mask-wearing recommendations for daily life and running; and
- Experiences of two runners who were ill with and have recovered from COVID-19.
Again, for the totality of our COVID-19 guidelines and an expanded look at these updates, make sure to return to our community guide.
Best Practices for Running at This Stage of the COVID-19 Crisis
Since we have your attention, let’s quickly go over the best practices for running right now:
- Follow local, state, and federal guidelines – Things are changing, constantly, so stay abreast of what is going on in your neck of the woods. (I mean it, don’t go to someone else’s neck of the woods.)
- Run alone – Run alone, or with one person who lives under the same roof as you (four-legged friends included).
- Give each other space – Pick your trails wisely, pick your running times wisely, and move way over.
- Be kind – Maybe this should be the only rule of running? Be nice, polite, calm, and patient. Lead by example.
How to Be a Good Citizen at This Stage of the COVID-19 Crisis
Here are the top couple things you can do right this second to be a good citizen when you do your essential chores or work in public spaces:
- Wear a mask in public spaces – You’re going to feel and potentially sound like Darth Vader, but you’re protecting those around you.
- Keep washing your hands – This includes before and after putting on and taking off masks, and before and after touching anything really.
- Be kind – We can’t say this enough.
