Re exercise: I worry that putting myself in a catabolic state (by exercising particularly hard) I temporarily increase my risk. Also by being at the gym around sweaty strangers. Is this worry justified?
I don’t think so to any significant extent in most circumstances. And any tiny spike counterbalanced by general benefits pointed to by David. My understanding (former competitive runner) is that extended periods of heavily overdoing it with exercise (overtraining) can lead to an inhibited immune system among other symptoms, but this is rare with people generally keeping fit (other than e.g. someone jumping into marathon/triathlon training without building up). Other things to avoid/be mindful of are the usual (hanging around in damp clothes in the cold, hygiene in group sporting/exercise contexts etc).
I feel much more worried about being in a crowded gym than about immune effects of exercise. People are really bad at (a) cleaning gym equipment and (b) washing their hands.
To be clear, I’d guess this is less bad than many other social situation (bars, public transport, restaurants) as well as carrying a much clearer health upside. But perhaps there is an argument for switching to more solitary forms of exercise in outbreak situations?
And obviously you should not go to the gym if you yourself are sick (people apparently do this)!
Re exercise: I worry that putting myself in a catabolic state (by exercising particularly hard) I temporarily increase my risk. Also by being at the gym around sweaty strangers. Is this worry justified?
I don’t think so to any significant extent in most circumstances. And any tiny spike counterbalanced by general benefits pointed to by David. My understanding (former competitive runner) is that extended periods of heavily overdoing it with exercise (overtraining) can lead to an inhibited immune system among other symptoms, but this is rare with people generally keeping fit (other than e.g. someone jumping into marathon/triathlon training without building up). Other things to avoid/be mindful of are the usual (hanging around in damp clothes in the cold, hygiene in group sporting/exercise contexts etc).
I feel much more worried about being in a crowded gym than about immune effects of exercise. People are really bad at (a) cleaning gym equipment and (b) washing their hands.
To be clear, I’d guess this is less bad than many other social situation (bars, public transport, restaurants) as well as carrying a much clearer health upside. But perhaps there is an argument for switching to more solitary forms of exercise in outbreak situations?
And obviously you should not go to the gym if you yourself are sick (people apparently do this)!