November 2020: So after a stressful spring full of contingency planning, then a varied summer that was everything from shut down to over-busy (or both! depending on who or where you are). We all burned many calories trying to figure out the same thing - how to take folks outdoors given COVID. Typically, consensus on practice takes time to coalesce. This time round it was sped up considerably, with much discussion and commitment to getting something to work.
Masks, spacing, solo tents, clean kitchens, modified transportation, cleaning gear, rethinking evacs and hospital visits - some or all of these and other details.
The medical field has been playing catch up. Here is what I would say is the most reliable outdoor medical CV advice to date: from the Wilderness Medical Society link here.
**Updated: January 2021 article on science to date here.
Original post:
With COVID 19 shutting us all down and then demanding completely new operating rules when we get our outdoor programs going again, finding the key principles amidst all of the chatter is not easy. The best research summary I have found to date is from the Canadian NCCEH, link here.
In summary:
In summary:
- CV19 transmission risk outdoors is very low
- surfaces create the most exposure, which would include sharing equipment
- physical distance is proven effective, so close proximity activities need to be re-thought, especially busing, tent sleeping and collective cooking
- communal areas like washrooms and toilets are particularly high risk areas
So: outdoor activities are relatively low risk compared to many other options; distance between individuals is required during activity; PPE and cleaning self and equipment can go a long way to limiting transmission; avoid large group gatherings; minimize time in close contact.
Missing so far in the COVID response is an acknowledgement of risk/reward and the mitigating effects of good practice and PPE. Self isolation and lock down does a good job minimizing risk, but in order to realize individual or program benefits (rewards) some risk is required, much of which can be offset with careful practice.