[ptest1]

In large dense American cities there are risks with even going outside on a walk. There are stories of people who didn’t leave their homes except on walks but caught COVID-19. There was a NYT columnist who got it and hadn’t done anything except go on walks in NYC. That seems statistically odd to me, because there can’t be that many NYT columnists.

Consider that to go outside, many in a large city must leave their flat, walk down a shared hallway, walk past other people’s front doors, use an elevator, etc.

There’s also a lot of people on the sidewalk, many without masks, who will walk right past you, often talking loudly on a cell phone. It’s often not possible to avoid walking close to these people due to small sidewalks and busy city streets.

Obviously the risk is lower than other activities but it’s not the same as going outside in the suburbs or driving somewhere. In my city, on a 40 minute walk I pass several hundred people. In my building here, none of the other residents wear masks and to enter and exit I must walk past their front doors.

So I would say it’s quite safe. But it’s not quite as safe in big, dense American city as in the suburbs.

[mensetmanusman]

The virus travels through the air, and because it is airborne, it can go very far if the conditions are right:

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200827/Coronavirus-can-s...

It’s possible the reporter caught it indoors, unless they surrounded themselves 24/7 while inside with multiple air purifiers.

[cwhiz]

A second anecdote. I live in NYC. I've been going on walks, hanging out in the park, going out to eat, stayed in a couple of cabins over the weekend, taken ride shares, dined inside, and traveled on airplanes twice. I don't have the antibodies and I've never tested positive.

My wife goes to work in an office every single day. Doesn't have antibodies, never tested positive.