Editorial | Moderate exercise can boost our immune system
- Coupled with social distancing, cleanliness and eating and sleeping well, there is every chance of lessening the risk of infection
Social distancing is a skill that takes time to perfect. Avoiding catching or spreading Covid-19 means keeping a safe space from other people, not avoiding them.
Just because we have to work or do school lessons from home does not force us to be housebound. A healthy immune system to fight off the disease requires moderate exercise.
Hong Kong is in a more fortunate position than other cities, where home lockdowns are in place. We do not get fined for being outdoors, as in California, or can only do so if necessary and have filled out a form giving the reason, as in France.
If we want exercise for the sake of our mind and body, we do not have to run a marathon on a balcony, as a man in Toulouse did, circling about 6,000 times to notch up the required 42.2 kilometres.
We can easily head for country parks and hiking trails, remembering to keep about 1.5 metres from others we meet to avoid moisture droplets from coughing and sneezing.
Research shows exercise can affect the body’s immune system.