The Outdoor Journal
The last three weeks have been anything but normal with the impacts of a pandemic impacting us all. Everything that was normal to many folks is now suspended. No spring sports, no baseball on the radio, no church services. Even the best Fish fry around, put on by the Knights of Columbus in Cameron, was knocked out by the “ 15 Days to Slow The Spread” campaign.
The signs of spring however, have not slowed. Trees are beginning to bud out, flowers and shrubs are waking up from their long naps, birds are nesting and fish are biting. My sister in Ozark, MO even teased me this week with a photo of some Morels she found. So while we ride out this storm, lets keep our distance, wash our hands and all those things, but don’t miss out on the outdoors at one of the best times of year.
Things will get better. At today’s press conference, Governor Parson’s Medical representative, Dr. Stevan Whitt, Chief Clinical Officer of MU Health Care, and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, specializing in Critical Care and Infectious Diseases said the following:
Social distancing IS effective at slowing the spread of new infections and we need to remain vigilant
The rate of new infections has leveled off across the state
Our hospitals are able to keep up with the needs of the seriously ill
We now have more people in the recovery phase than new infections
Stay at Home does not mean stay inside
Get outdoors, go for walks, and get exercise
Avoid groups and keep your distance from others
Simply going outside or riding in a car is not a time to put on a mask – the outside is good for us
Go fishing, gardening, yardwork, etc.
So there you have it. Doctor’s orders, get outside.
