How to enjoy 90 degree heat during COVID19

It’s the middle of summer 2020 during Covid19. According to NOAA weather data for Washington, D.C., July 2020 ended with 28 days over 90 degrees. So what’s new about that? It’s summer. Here’s the dilemma we all face: stay inside all day every day, or get outside to try to enjoy what Mother Nature gives us?

There’s no choice, really, as I have to walk the dog three or four times a day. At 6:00 a.m. one morning, it was already 80 degrees and 75 percent humidity. But nature called. Then at noon, it was nearly 100. A short walk to the park, then home. In the evening, with thunder rumbling across the sky, we try to get the walk done before the deluge. This is not easy with a dog who scares easily at the distant sound of thunder, which he hears long before I do.

For a break, I’ve managed to get away for short road trips to cooler spots near the water or in the mountains. During short excursions to the Chesapeake Bay and the Hudson Valley, I wore my mask, kept my distance from others, and wore sturdy walking shoes, welcomed breaks from the outdoors heat and indoor confinement. As you can see from my video, however, not everyone was following the recommendations for masks and social distancing.

We're all looking to get outside. If you have a story to share, send it my way and I’ll help you bring it to life. Stay safe!

For my next blog, I’ll be exploring whether lifestyle changes, like decreases in transportation during the pandemic, have had any impact on greenhouse gas emission levels that contribute to climate change and global warming. Are we merely passive recipients of what Mother Nature gives us or are we affecting it?