It’s July and summertime activities are at hand. Cookouts, pool parties, summer camps, trips to the beach and road trips are usually the norm this time of year. With COVID-19 now part of our lives, what does the new normal look like for summer? Activities that wouldn’t have required a thought about safety now present challenges. As healthcare providers you know the importance of continuing to adhere to the precautions set out by the CDC and other health experts. Social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and staying home if you feel sick should all still be practiced during outdoor summertime activities. With just a little planning, these activities can still be enjoyed.

After a long winter spent largely in our homes, many of us need to get outdoors for the sake of our health, both physical and mental. Certain aspects of quarantine like stress, too much time indoors, too few social interactions, and unhealthy coping mechanisms can actually dampen our immune systems. Read more for tips to combat this.

As we’ve seen recently many people across the US are actively refusing to wear masks and social distance. This is unfortunate as we are now seeing spikes in states where businesses reopened earlier than was advised. Some cities are seeing their highest one-day case counts. This resurgence along with a predicted new wave in the fall paints a gloomy picture.

Healthcare workers have been our heroes so far during this crisis, and it looks like that heroism is here to stay for a while. The next stage of heroism may take the form of setting a good example for the rest of us. Front-line workers following preventative guidelines in public while outdoors, as well as educating and reminding patients, can help in improving compliance with state and local orders.

Enjoy the summer and stay safe!