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The coronavirus pandemic is underway, residents of cities and towns must not only protect themselves and their loved ones from infection, but also deal with stress, of which COVID-19 is not currently the only source. One of the forms of relaxation and reducing negative emotions are visits to parks, botanical gardens or other green areas dedicated to public use. A ban on access to parks and public gardens may have a negative impact on the health and well-being of people living in urban areas.
Why are the parks closed?
Closing the parks is a decision which due to koronawirusa SARS-CoV-2 governments of many countries, including Poland. It was also forbidden to enter playgrounds, sports fields and municipal gyms. This action allowed to limit the number of public places where many people could gather in a limited space. At the same time, the possibility of spending time outdoors, especially in urban areas, has been significantly reduced.
In most cases, the closure of public green spaces is justified by the fact that it is difficult to keep a sufficient distance from other people. In the case of playgrounds or outdoor gyms, the devices located there also pose a great risk – coronavirus can be transmitted by touching common surfaces.
Check: New restrictions for Poles. What will be closed?
The parks could therefore turn out to be a safer place because they are more spacious. However, as it turned out, the lack of access to other forms of spending free time attracted crowds to the parks. A similar fate befell Polish forests swarmed with walkers. Too much concentration of people in parks and forests, meeting in larger groups and not following the rules of staying in public spaces resulted in their being closed.
Closing parks and public gardens is a limitation that can have a negative impact on public health, argue Harvard experts in the Washington Post: Marc Lipsitch, professor of epidemiology, employee of the Department of Environmental Protection Joseph Allen, and William (Ned) Friedman, professor of organismal and evolutionary biology.
According to experts, the closing of parks should be temporary and constitute a final measure reduce the spread of coronavirus. The lack of opportunities to freely go for a walk and contact with the greenery are restrictions that may aggravate the negative effects of social isolation necessary during the coronavirus pandemic. In the case of parks, a possible solution could be to ease the ban, and instead to introduce restrictions on the number of people walking or opening hours, as well as defining strict rules of safe behavior in the park.
Uncertainty and stress in the COVID-19 era are not only the result of fear of disease. Some people have already been hit by the economic crisis, have lost their jobs or are under professional pressure. Another burden is the need for increased care for the elderly and children, as well as the difficult treatment of serious diseases, including cancer. The hardships of everyday life, the need to isolate oneself from society, and the risk of coronavirus are all cumulative and affect mental health.
Research published by the University of Washington proves that contact with nature has a positive effect on the psyche and nervous system. In the case of adults, there is also a reduction in obsessive thinking and focusing on negative feelings. These are the conclusions reached by the researchers who published their findings in the scientific journal of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS). Therefore, the possibility of visiting easily accessible green areas seems to be of key importance in a world that is rapidly urbanizing.
A visit to the park or other outdoor activity is also important with children. This is indicated, among others, by research provided by the Journal of Attention Disorders or the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. In the case of children, communing with nature reduces the symptoms of disorders such as ADD and ADHD, and also promotes the development of cognitive functions. Being able to spend time in nature reduces the level of stress, aggression and mental fatigue. A walk in the park or other outdoor activities can therefore ease tension and help you deal with emergencies.
Also read: How Can You Endure Coronavirus Isolation? Astronaut Council
Due to restrictions on behavior in public spaces, in Poland it is currently not possible to go to the park. From April 11, permitted forms of travel have been reduced even more, and all exits from the house should be limited to the necessary minimum. So you can go to work, shop, pharmacy or with a dog, but you cannot walk in parks, forests, squares, promenades, beaches or boulevards. The gov.pl website informs about the new safety rules in connection with the coronavirus and any changes on an ongoing basis.
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.
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