Let’s Stop Playing ‘Corona-Chicken’ When We’re Out and About

This whole 6 feet of social distancing is stressing me out - especially now, as things are starting to reopen. What are the polite social distancing rules?

Tell me if you've been in this situation: you're someplace where a mask is not required - like a park, say. You're not wearing a mask. Neither are the people headed toward you.

If you're following the corona-rules, you should get 6 feet away from other people - right? Then why do I find myself playing corona-chicken with people?

True story: we were walking in the New Hartford Town Park last week. We saw two women (unmasked) coming towards us, two abreast, on the trail. We politely moved slightly to the left, so if they have moved to the right - we would have been 6 feet apart. But nope - they kept walking down the center of the trail, forcing us to step further into the woods to achieve the appropriate distance.

What the hell, people?

Even if you don't think you're gonna catch the virus, how about you still follow the policies out of respect for the rest of us? Is it that hard to move over?

The same goes for stores. Just pause, and give people a little bit of space. You don't know what anyone's situation is - maybe they're at risk, but have no choice but to go out. Maybe they're the sole caregiver for someone else. A little consideration and kindness can go a long way.

On the other hand, while hiking at Watkin's Glen last weekend, we came across a family on the trail. We all laughed as we did a little dance trying to figure out who was going to move which way. It was a brief moment where we connected over our common - and now, kinda crazy - experience.

The coronavirus has forced us to add all sorts new things to our lives: masks, loads of hand sanitizer, and a real appreciation for our hairdressers. Maybe it can help us add a little awareness to our daily lives, too.