So how is everyone doing, really?

Better link to the article https://medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08

Gumby the White wrote:

So we are all going to die?

A lot will, yes, but not all of us. But there's no need to be only 6' behind someone on a trail - we can space out more.

Even when there were no restrictions and no precautions I had no reason be be closer than 20' away from anyone else while hiking. Now I will make it 100', just because. Be safe.

Marc801 C wrote: It's worse if you cannot stay sufficiently far away. It's worse if you're directly behind someone .

The big take away should be that the current recommendation of at least* 6 feet is far too inadequate, esp. when walking, running, or biking behind someone; the latter two being more like 15' and 20' - 70' depending (read the article for details).

*: seems that a lot of people and news reports miss that "at least" part. Six feet should be the absolute minimum - a lot more if you're downwind of someone.

I suppose it is relative to where you are located, but even going for a run in an obscure place, there is still a lot of foot traffic in Seattle. It simply impossible to never get within 15 feet of at least one person when you are on a run in Seattle. 

Trevor Taylor wrote:

I suppose it is relative to where you are located, but even going for a run in an obscure place, there is still a lot of foot traffic in Seattle. It simply impossible to never get within 15 feet of at least one person when you are on a run in Seattle. 

I know. We tried to take a hike yesterday The trailhead we went to about 2 miles from our house was packed, as was the trail. We went back to the house and walked a bit around our neighborhood.

Artem Vasilyev wrote:

I normally have an intense wave of depression/anxiety wash over me right when I get home from work (or, currently, when I get done with work). I have no idea why it happens with that timing, but it does. My solution has been to take a quick nap, take a tiny dose of THC edibles, and immediately launch into something that is actually fulfilling (which was normally going for a night climb or heading to the climbing gym, or jumping in the car and driving to my weekend project). I feel like I get back to normal pretty quickly when I can focus on something interesting. Recharges the spiritual batteries, so to speak. My running theory for myself is that the depression/anxiety comes from staying still and wrestling with myself to focus on things that are tedious but necessary to earn a living. 

In my case, I have no idea why it happens with this timing, but it is often routine (i.e. this happens with the same timing every day for weeks). Interesting to see that others get in rhythms like this as well. I have no idea how healthy this is, but I figure that there will always be suffering as long as we are alive. At the very least, it serves to make the good times feel better.

Artem, I'm finding that crash can be simple blood sugar, for me. What I eat, when I eat....if I forget to eat. 

And, there's the get sidetracked with something else part. That helps a lot. It can be easy to get in a 'habit' of being down. For me, I have to pay attention and get that licked before it gets going. Usually? The first step is literally that. Get up out of the chair and go do something. Anything.

Best, Helen

I miss outdoor activities but otherwise I am doing alright so far. I enjoy working from home much more than commuting and my need for human contact was always pretty minimal. There’s some boredom but otherwise I am pleasantly surprised by how well I am coping. 

Trevor Taylor wrote: Here is a study that is very interesting medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08

I think my take away is that climbing near anyone is bad, but going for a walk in a public park or a bike ride is significantly worse. So I guess I am filled with anxiety that climbing wont happen till this thing is totally over. 

Just to calm people down, further look on the implications of the above with opinions from an epidemiologist 

Artem Vasilyev wrote:

I normally have an intense wave of depression/anxiety wash over me right when I get home from work (or, currently, when I get done with work). I have no idea why it happens with that timing, but it does. My solution has been to take a quick nap, take a tiny dose of THC edibles, and immediately launch into something that is actually fulfilling (which was normally going for a night climb or heading to the climbing gym, or jumping in the car and driving to my weekend project). I feel like I get back to normal pretty quickly when I can focus on something interesting. Recharges the spiritual batteries, so to speak. My running theory for myself is that the depression/anxiety comes from staying still and wrestling with myself to focus on things that are tedious but necessary to earn a living. 

In my case, I have no idea why it happens with this timing, but it is often routine (i.e. this happens with the same timing every day for weeks). Interesting to see that others get in rhythms like this as well. I have no idea how healthy this is, but I figure that there will always be suffering as long as we are alive. At the very least, it serves to make the good times feel better.

Go ride a bicycle dude.  THC and bikes go splendidly well together, and thats not a factitious statement either.

abe r wrote:

Go ride a bicycle dude.  THC and bikes go splendidly well together, and thats not a factitious statement either.

LSD and bikes are even better. Effortless, too; you're usually too distracted to remember to pedal.

They should definitely mail out LSD before the next pandemic.

al ex wrote:

Just to calm people down, further look on the implications of the above with opinions from an epidemiologist 

Social distancing outdoors

Thanks that was interesting! 

Late to the long thread, but to answer the topic:

I wouldn't say things are great, but I'd be lying if I said they were bad. I moved across the country a few weeks ago, right when things were starting to get taken seriously, so I was already in line for some social isolation whether COVID was a thing or not. Since everyone is stuck inside now, I'm at least able to keep up with my friends from my old city and (selfishly) don't feel like I'm missing out on going to the crag or whatever.

I wish I was getting out climbing, but I've been spending more time on my bike and easing into life in a new place. It would be cool if I could actually go into my office and check out the bars and shops and everything, but those will all be there when this is done and I can keep taking things slow for a minute.

Artem Vasilyev wrote:

I normally have an intense wave of depression/anxiety wash over me right when I get home from work (or, currently, when I get done with work). I have no idea why it happens with that timing, but it does. My solution has been to take a quick nap, take a tiny dose of THC edibles, and immediately launch into something that is actually fulfilling (which was normally going for a night climb or heading to the climbing gym, or jumping in the car and driving to my weekend project). I feel like I get back to normal pretty quickly when I can focus on something interesting. Recharges the spiritual batteries, so to speak. My running theory for myself is that the depression/anxiety comes from staying still and wrestling with myself to focus on things that are tedious but necessary to earn a living. 

In my case, I have no idea why it happens with this timing, but it is often routine (i.e. this happens with the same timing every day for weeks). Interesting to see that others get in rhythms like this as well. I have no idea how healthy this is, but I figure that there will always be suffering as long as we are alive. At the very least, it serves to make the good times feel better.

Yeah--I was doing some random googling about it and saw some people suggesting that this can happen because work/activity can be a form of distraction, and when that distraction is gone it's easy to get sucked into rumination. Seems to fit with my experience. I've been trying to deal with it by journaling and by trying to recognize the difference between processing vs ruminating, and setting things aside when I notice myself doing the latter.

It's true that the regularity of it makes it feel routine. It's odd. Wishing recreational were categorized as an essential business here, haha.

Wayne Curr wrote: They should definitely mail out LSD before the next pandemic.

Jesus, I can’t even imagine trippin while in the middle of a pandemic. 

Zombie apocalyse!

Yeah, no, not for real. Just trying a little dark humor for those who might need it.

Well seattle is experiencing some of the best April weather I can remember and it hurts to not go outside and climb.

Find your own personal cobbles. Find some interesting pinch grips on each. Go for a long 5.11 walk, switching hands and shaking out as needed. Also, you must wear a chalk bag!

If anyone wants a cribbage partner, it’d be fun to get my ass kicked by fellow climbers instead of getting my ass kicked by random strangers.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cribbage-pro/id409644287