Instead of Covid-19, Are We All Getting Cabin Fever?

April 9 in Easton

Since the lockdown began, I've spent a lot of time outdoors to work on my fitness. I've shared monkey bars (from a social distance) at school playgrounds with cops who shame me with their ability to do pull-ups and chin-ups. I've visited the fitness trail at Louise Moore Park, which has some great exercise stations. I've promenaded the streets of Nazareth and run at the bike trail in Tatamy. I also had my bike tuned up and have been out and about, riding the streets and trails. Ironically, I think I am more fit now than I was when I could still use the gym. Plus, I just love being outside. Rain and wind are the enemies this time of year, especially on a bicycle. The cyclists's biggest enemy - the car - has been missing. But starting on Monday, my very unscientific observation is that traffic is beginning to pick up again. Despite the lockdown, people seem to be getting impatient about being cooped up in their houses. Instead of Covid-19, a lot of us are coming down with a serious cases of cabin fever. The best remedy for that is getting outside.

Yesterday was a rare day in which I both "ran" and cycled. I wanted a heavy cardio workout because heavy rain is forecast for the next few days. So I rode my bike to Tatamy, locked it up, went for a run and then continued riding along the trail and then climbed the hills back to home. I noticed a lot of heavy traffic, both from cars and trucks. In addition to the usual delivery trucks, there were heavy load tractor trailers carrying slabs of concrete and steel beams. There were also loads of the smaller trucks carrying gravel. Obviously, the construction industry is gearing up.

Grist Mill bridge

Along the Tatamy Trail, I saw the bridge construction at the Grist Mill, which looks like it is well underway. I failed to bring my phone, but a friend who happened to be there took and sent me the picture you see. Further down the Tatamy trail, I saw a home contractor doing a project at someone's property. His truck was parked in the yard. Yeah, he might be in violation of the lockdown, but I won't rat him out. He's trying to feed his family because the state has pretty much failed the self-employed and gig workers.

In addition to the increased traffic on the roads, the trails are usually packed. In the middle of the work week, there was no room top park at the terminus of the trail in Tatamy, unless you had a bike. The trail was packed with runners, walkers and cyclists of all ages and types. Some wore masks, while others did not. I see lots of lovebirds, both young and old, who are enjoying their time with each other. I see entire families along the trail, with kids on scooters while mom and dad try to keep up. But the happiest people have been man's best friend - the dog. They are going for lots of walks, which they tell me is their favorite past time. If they could vote, they'd demand that the lockdown continue forever.

I can walk and even run in very cold and wet weather. But I never ride in the rain, and yesterday was about as cold as I can tolerate. In the pic above, you see a yellow windbreaker. I didn't think I needed it yesterday. I was wrong.

This lockdown has been tough on our finances, and has exposed major weaknesses in the federal and state responses. The people I've seen outside, however, have always smiled and said Hi.

I only wish I got paid for goofing off.