To Walk Or Not To Walk?
That is the question.
In a time where our very existence has been brought into question, those of us who are privileged to stay at home are finding that the most simple everyday decisions have become a source of active contemplation.
Should I go to the grocery store or should I get groceries delivered? Do I go for a walk or make do by popping my head out of the window? Do I wear a mask or donate any extra supplies to the local hospital? The constant stream of confusing voices playing in our heads as we try our best to “stay at home” is exhausting.
Those of us in North America are privileged to live in democracies where we can still walk our pets, go to the local store or take a drive without the enforcement of the military by means of a complete lockdown. Our government entrusts us to use our best judgement and follow the recommended public health guidelines.
Despite it all, there are often grey zones that can be challenging to navigate. One such decision is taking a daily stroll or walk. Whilst it is clear we are to stay at home except when it is absolutely necessary to leave, we are allowed to take a walk as long as we keep 2 metres apart from others and avoid public parks and playgrounds. But is it really necessary to go for a walk? The contradiction only puts further pressure on us to use our best judgement.
Bottom line: every time we step out of the house, we are assuming risk. The point is to minimize that risk.
So how do we not misuse the freedom entrusted in us to follow the rules, practise social distancing but also stay at home unless we really have to leave?
We are treading a fine line between preserving our mental sanity and protecting our physical health. As most of us in the northern hemisphere welcome spring, it is a pleasant time for a walk, to soak in some sunshine and momentarily forget the war we are all battling by our acts of “social solidarity.”
Though I live alone with my husband and am grateful to not have to worry about keeping children entertained or walking any pets, there are a few things we keep in mind when we decide whether to leave our home.
We live in the middle of a city in an apartment. As such, every trip we take involves touching elevator buttons or opening shared doors. Whilst we have found ways around not using our hands to touch common surfaces, we acknowledge the added dilemma for those of us who don’t live in homes in the suburbs or countryside. Going for a walk if you live in a city is an added risk. Not to mention the sidewalk dance, which often leads us to walk on the streets hoping that in the quest to avoid Coronavirus we don’t end up getting struck by a car.
As such, it makes sense to give up on daily walks and save it for days when we really need to get out. As we have a balcony, we pace around on it and soak up the sunshine that way. I think the point is to measure how you can get by without leaving the house. We are allowed to walk to preserve our sanity but spending hours outside of your house even at a safe distance from other people is not the same as being at home. That is the point. For those of us who live in cities, we have to take extra caution when we step out.
In an ideal world struck by a pandemic, we would never leave home. But we have to eat. We need air. And we have to preserve our sanity. As such, we will all leave home but it is up to us to determine when and how often. If we could all just sacrifice the extra trips outside the house to some exercise in our living rooms or kicking a ball in our backyards, we may be saving a life. So then, to walk or not to walk, that is the question.
