This Is How High Your COVID Risk Is Based on Your Everyday Behavior
A group of medical experts have ranked the risk of your activities during COVID.
The coronavirus can spread easily, especially since some of those infected with the virus don't even know they have it. With that in mind, it can be hard to know which activities are off-limits because they'll put us in harm's way of contracting COVID-19. According to experts, there really isn't anything you can do during the coronavirus pandemic that doesn't come with some level of risk, but a group of medical professionals with COVID-19 Recovery Consulting, LLC have put together an activity risk index that ranks your everyday behavior from lowest risk to highest risk based on four main factors: enclosed space, duration of interaction, crowds, and forceful exhalation. Read through their list for a better idea of how to stay safe. And for more risks to avoid, This Bad Habit Could Increase Your Risk of Dying From COVID, Doctor Says.
27
Staying at home (alone or with members of your household)
Risk level: Low
And for more ways to stay healthy, discover The One Thing You Should Do to Lower Your COVID Risk Right Now, Study Says.
26
Walking outdoors (with or without pets)
Risk level: Low
25
Picking up takeout food, coffee, or groceries from stores
Risk level: Low
Risks: Potential crowding
24
Running or biking (alone or with another person)
Risk level: Low
Risks: Close contact or potential clustering of people
And for more on working out during COVID, check out our article: Should You Wear a Face Mask While Exercising? Here's What the CDC Says.
23
Outdoor picnic or porch dining (with non-household people and physical distancing)
Risk level: Low
Risks: Potential crowding and activity
22
Playing "distanced" sports outside
Risk level: Low to Medium
21
Retail shopping
Risk level: Low to Medium
Risks: Indoor, close contact, and potential clustering of people
And for tips on shopping safely, This Is the Best Time to Go Shopping, According to the CDC.
20
Grocery shopping
Risk level: Low to Medium
Risks: Indoor, close contact, potential clustering of people, and high-touch surfaces
19
Taking a taxi or a ride-sharing service
Risk level: Medium
Risks: Depends on frequency of cleaning, duration of ride, and number of passengers
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18
Visiting a hospital emergency department
Risk level: Medium
Risks: Indoor and potential clustering of people
17
Outdoor restaurant dining
Risk level: Medium
Risks: Close contact, potential clustering of people, and challenging to wear a mask while eating
16
Going to a museum
Risk level: Medium
Risks: Indoor, close contact, and potential clustering of people
15
Medical office visit
Risk level: Medium
Risks: Indoor, close contact, potential clustering of people, and high-touch surfaces
14
Dentist appointment
Risk level: Medium
Risks: Indoor, close contact, potential clustering of people, and patient not wearing a mask
13
Hair, nail salon, or barbershop visit
Risk level: Medium to High
Risks: Prolonged close contact and difficult to wear a mask
12
Working in an office
Risk level: Medium to High
Risks: Indoor, high-touch surfaces, prolonged close contact, and potential clustering of people
11
Indoor restaurant dining
Risk level: Medium to High
Risks: Indoor, prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, and difficult to wear mask while eating and drinking
10
Exercising at a gym
Risk level: Medium to High
Risks: Indoor, close contact, potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces, difficult to wear a mask, and high respiratory rate
9
Taking public transportation
Risk level: High
Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, and high-touch surfaces
8
Air travel
Risk level: High
Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, and high-touch surfaces
7
Movie theater or live theater
Risk level: High
Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, and high-touch surfaces
6
Playing contact sports
Risk level: High
Risks: Prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, high respiratory rate, and inability to wear a mask
5
Watching sports
Risk level: High
Risks: Prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces, yelling or projection of voice, and enclosed space (if indoors)
4
Attending religious services
Risk level: High
Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces, and singing or projection of voice
3
Attending a concert
Risk level: High
Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces, and yelling or projection of voice
2
Indoor party
Risk level: High
Risks: Indoor, prolonged close contact, and potential clustering of people
Additional risks: Alcohol (loss of inhibition) and/or shared joint or pipe (coughing)
1
Visiting bars and nightclubs
Risk level: High
Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact, potential clustering of people, high respiratory rate, and yelling or projection of voice
