Re: Hiking in town during "social distancing"
Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:06 pm
Thank you, W.D. - for this AND the “old” trip report you posted. Appreciate you giving us SOMETHING nice to look at!
I live in a dense urban zone with considerable shopping districts mixed with residential and older business areas. There are parks and green zones along creeks. As always, many dog owners out walking their local neighborhoods and occasional joggers and bicyclists. However considering our large populations, not too many people are actually "walking" streets like I do. Very easy to maintain 6 foot distances even at a local small downtown shopping district where most businesses are shut down. It is beautiful outside in these areas now with lots of spring flowers and greenery gracing residences and generally all looking fresh and clean given the recent rains. Also note I am not wearing a mask when outdoors, only when going into stores. There are some now calling for everyone to wear masks once leaving their residences, even to jog or bicycle, that is of course nonsense reflecting a lack of common sense understanding, basic science, and ignorance.
Much of that is because the majority of people have never done so and instead driven their vehicles even to go short distances like 2 blocks. Like those walking streets are only supposed to be the poor or homeless haha. In like ways, the car-centric majority have never taken a ride on any of our buses or light rail despite a considerable public transportation system. For years I've been walking to stores within about a mile as long as I have the time and don't have to carry much. Regularly walk 2 blocks to a Walgreens or 3 blocks to a Home Depot or a mile to church.
Interestingly, it is true there has been a significant increase in those walking our creek greenbelt paved trails or visiting our parks. A bit more traffic there, especially bicyclists however the majority of people are keeping adequate distances. And note 6 feet is a vague recommendation so people need to use common sense. Over the last couple years, I've also been increasingly street walking in San Francisco as that is much more fascinating while noting I've not done so since this pandemic began as any dense cities play the social distancing game at a different level.
