After being stuck in the house for so long, many families are beginning to participate in outdoor activities to have fun whilst staying safe.  Apple picking in particular has become extremely popular this fall.  However, because so many families are choosing to pick apples this year, a few problems have arisen.  As someone who apple picks annually, I’ve experienced many of these new problems firsthand.  The first and most obvious problem is the crowd levels at apple orchards.  The entire purpose of participating in outdoor activities is to practice social distancing, and thus stay safe.  However, the crowd levels at apple orchards make it difficult to adhere to such safety guidelines.  

As a result of large crowds, there has also been a shortage of apples!  When I went apple picking in mid-October, there were hardly any apples left on the trees.  It took over half an hour to find a section of the orchard with some apples left.  This once again raises crowd concerns.  Because the few apples left were in small sections of the orchard, several families flocked to those areas to pick.  Furthermore, the orchard I went to did require visitors to wear masks, and there were several signs placed throughout the orchard to remind visitors of this policy.  However,  I witnessed several families not wearing masks and not following social distancing guidelines.  

Overall,  outdoor activities are appealing to many during the pandemic, but they may not actually be the safest option.  If you want to participate in a fun and safe activity, it looks like you will have to get creative.  Consider activities such as hiking or biking because you can easily avoid crowds of people.  If you have a backyard, take advantage of it, too!  Maybe try painting or working out in your backyard if you want some fresh air.  If you do decide to go apple picking, try to go on a week day to avoid crowds, and wear your mask!