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As vaccine rollout is still slow and Covid-19 continues to spread, it is expected that social distancing rules will continue into the next few months. Indoor dining is still not advisable, and it is not safe to gather in someone’s home. Some Americans are turning to outdoor gatherings to keep things normal. However, moving the party outdoors during the middle of winter brings a series of challenges, including low temperatures and unexpected weather-sales of outdoor tents are also soaring.

"With the increase in people’s outdoor entertainment, there has been a huge increase in outdoor furniture. People are buying party tents and awnings. We even see people putting a beach chair in the back seat of their car to prevent them from encountering it outside. Friends," said Jen Carter, director of corporate marketing for outdoor tent and awning company ShelterLogic. "People stay at home and upgrade their space."

Jess Flanders, vice president of marketing for outdoor furniture retailer Lloyd Flanders, said that although the prices vary, when it comes to outdoor furniture, you are usually “value for money”.

“Outdoor furniture is made of a variety of materials, and their quality and durability vary greatly,” she explained. "It is worthwhile to invest once and enjoy durable products that can withstand various factors in the next few years."

If you are looking for a fence for your outdoor space, Philip Junglas, MD, physician at the Cleveland Clinic recommends that you buy an open-air tent or choose an enclosed tent designed to allow air circulation. For example, consider an outdoor tent with removable doors or flaps. Avoid closed tents, such as yurts, which will obstruct air flow.

"It's only a matter of time before the virus in the air is enough to infect everyone inside," Junglas points out.

"The key is air movement," said Mitchell Grayson, MD, chairman of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of the American Medical Science Council. "Many yurts are just small enclosed spaces that happen to be outside. A tent, if it allows air to circulate, would be much better-but avoid tents with four walls."

Carter said, unless you want to permanently change your outdoor space, shoppers should look for products that are easy to install and remove. The tent should completely cover the place you plan to gather (in the event of rain or snow), while allowing social distancing. If you live in a warm or humid climate, consider using a tent with a mosquito net to prevent bugs from entering while still allowing air circulation.

Covering an area of ​​100 square feet, this canopy tent is available in a variety of sizes and colors, depending on your space needs and aesthetic preferences. This model also has three side walls and a door wall, but users can open the door or completely remove the housing to increase the airflow into the space. The tent fabric is waterproof and is equipped with ropes and stakes to increase stability against wind and other weather factors.

This affordable pop-up pavilion is available in four colors-brown, gray, tan, and black-and is waterproof. It occupies up to 84 square feet. It has a durable steel frame and is equipped with a transparent net plate to prevent mosquitoes and other insects from entering. This model weighs only 35 pounds and comes with a bag for easy storage.

This pop-up tent has four tarpaulin walls, which can be easily removed to increase air flow. It is easy to assemble and disassemble without any tools. The tent is equipped with a roller bag for storage and four sandbags for fixing the structure. Shoppers can choose from 17 colors and 5 sizes (calculated based on total square feet): 64, 96, 100, 150 and 200. Users can also adjust the height of the tent to 11 feet. The fabric of the tent is made of flame retardant and is sealed to prevent water infiltration.

This outdoor tent is completely open, allowing sufficient air circulation. It is made of weatherproof sheets and equipped with nylon mosquito nets to prevent insects from entering. The mosquito net can be easily clipped on the frame to open up the space. Shoppers can choose from three sizes—100, 120, and 140 square feet—depending on the number of people they plan to receive. All tents are nine feet high.

This stylish pop-up pavilion is equipped with an adjustable screen to increase insulation (and prevents bugs from entering), and has an aluminum frame to ensure stability. It has weather resistance below 158 degrees Fahrenheit and weighs 40 pounds. It can cover up to 100 square feet and comes with a bag for easy storage.

Grayson said that gatherings outdoors are safer than gatherings indoors. He explained that there is usually enough air movement, which reduces the possibility of transmission-in any case, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you maintain social distancing rules and, of course, wear a mask.

When you are indoors, the air usually recirculates and is not updated frequently, which means that air droplets carrying viruses can stay in the air for longer. A December 2020 study by the University of California estimated that indoor viruses are almost 19 times more likely to spread through the air than outdoors. But health experts emphasized that gatherings outdoors will not make you immune to Covid. The virus can still be spread through the air, depending on the distance between you and the infected person.

Although outdoor gatherings are preferable to indoor gatherings, they are certainly not as safe as not gathering at all. Experts outline some safety tips for anyone hosting or attending outdoor gatherings:

keep distance. The CDC recommends keeping a distance of at least six feet from people who are not directly relatives—and limit the time spent with others as much as possible.

Be quiet. This is not just to avoid annoying neighbors. Grayson explained that screaming or singing can increase the chance of releasing droplets and air particles in the air.

Put on a mask. Although you may have to take off your mask to eat and drink, Grayson recommends that you separate yourself when eating and drinking, and wear a mask immediately after eating.

Wash your hands often. Junglas pointed out that although you are unlikely to come into contact with infectious surfaces in an outdoor party, there are still handles, glasses, plates and other objects that many people have touched.

Avoid contact with public goods altogether. Bring your own drinks, food utensils or plates. If you do share things, wash your hands immediately and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Monitor alcohol intake. Once you start drinking, Covid precautions may fly out of the window. Junglas encourages adults to be responsible for the amount of alcohol they drink at any outdoor party-those affected may be more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors (such as removing a mask or going indoors) or to trip and fall (if there is heating nearby) light).

Stick to your "bubble". These independent networks of friends or family members who agree to abide by the same Covid rules can limit your exposure to the virus.

Stick to your principles. "No one really wants to wear a mask, but be bold," Junglas said. “It’s okay to be the only person wearing a mask, because it shows that you know how masks reduce transmission.”

Junglas says that while these best practices are not guaranteed to prevent you from getting sick, they can greatly reduce your risk. If you go out in cold weather, don't forget to wear a coat.

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Hanna Horvath is a personal finance reporter based in New York. She currently writes for Policygenius, and her work has appeared in Business Insider, MSN, Inc magazines, etc. 

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