Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Is My Health Club Putting Me At A Higher Risk Of Contracting Coronavirus?
()
We’re asking public health officials and experts to answer your questions about the coronavirus outbreak. Please keep in mind that what is known about the virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, is still evolving. This information does not constitute professional medical advice. For questions regarding your own health, always consult a physician.
Health officials are advising the public to limit exposure to events and locations with large groups of people amid the COVID-19 outbreak — aka exercise “social distancing.” Given that advice, you may be wondering what that means for you and your fitness routine. We certainly are.
This question came up in our own newsroom: Do health clubs put you at a higher risk of contracting the virus?
Despite being people-magnets and arguably hotbeds for germs, the answer is no. UCLA Pulmonologist Doctor Russell Buhr says taking precautions will go a long way towards mitigating contraction:
Support for LAist comes from
“The risk is not that you’re going to pick up a virus floating around in the air in those situations, but more so that, if sick people are going into them and leaving virus behind and then touching the surfaces and touching your face, et cetera, that’s when you’d be at risk.”
- Wipe down gym equipment before and after use
- Use hand sanitizer in between sets whenever moving on to new equipment
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after your workout
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist