New York ¨C The photo stopped me in my tracks: Californians jogging, walking and cycling along a crowded bike path. Surely it must have been snapped weeks ago, before ¡°social distancing¡± became a phrase on everyone¡¯s lips? No: The photo was dated March 28, almost 10 days after California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a ¡°stay at home¡± order to combat the coronavirus pandemic in the state.

Experts have repeatedly assured us it¡¯s safe to spend time outside ¡ª in fact it¡¯s pretty much the only activity they have said is safe. Epidemiologists have even framed outdoor exercise as a healthy way to boost the immune system. Certainly, getting outside is essential for mental health ¡ª and there have been numerous studies linking time in nature to increased resilience and decreased stress.

But of course, going outside during a pandemic is safe only as long as you stay well away from other people. And since several other things the experts said have turned out to be falsely reassuring ¡ª masks wouldn¡¯t help, coronavirus isn¡¯t airborne, you only really have to stay home if you feel sick ¡ª it¡¯s no wonder some of us are now wondering if it¡¯s truly safe to take a stroll.