Jeff Fuentes Gleghorn

Experts say that an important part of Covid-19 prevention is regular physical activity. Studies show that people who are active for 150 minutes each week – as recommended by the World Health Organization – are significantly less likely to develop severe COVID. However, physical activity levels have gone down in the United States since the pandemic started. Today, 25.3% of people in the U.S. report that they have not exercised in the last month. Michigan is barely faring any better than the average, with 24.2% of Michiganders reporting that they have not exercised in the last month.

Even with vaccines being available, COVID19 continues to be a concern. The country has reopened, with schools, workplaces, and even concerts and sporting events allowing in-person attendance and dropping most mask and vaccine mandates. After two years of isolation, people are eager to rebuild their social lives. As they do so, it is important to also rebuild physically active lifestyles.

According to a 2017 study, 26% of adults in Bay County and 25% of adults in Saginaw County reported that they had not exercised in the past month. This is from before the pandemic lowered rates of physical activity, so the number is likely higher in 2022. The two counties were among the least active Michigan counties in 2017, but residents have the chance to turn that around this year.