Nope. Thank you for the reassurance.

Were you wearing a mask? Was she? What people seem to forget is that for you to be exposed, she and/or her child would have to be a carrier.

Everyone out there isn’t a carrier although we should to continue to;

“live like everyone is a carrier including yourself”.

My understanding is what gardengal posted based on what I've heard now from 4 different ER doctors. Seems there would be many more people getting sick if that weren't the case.

The CDC is recommending everyone wear a mask. Were you wearing one?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

So, I took the mask off because it was 74 degrees out and it was so hot out and I figured it was okay because I'm so vigilant--I avoid everyone--I'm a zig zag--cross the street--reverse course--hide in driveways--kinda walker now. It never occurred to me that other people would not do the same! And she had a baby in a stroller! Next time, I'll just walk with a hot face. Tomorrow I'm walking at the dog at 6 am. Less people and before it rains. So stressful.

I agree with Gardengal, with no direct contact and no emissions you should be fine. the Six feet rule is so you don't have to judge and weigh everyone around you-as in staying six feet from someone who might be ill and cough on you. Masks can help you not get it but they are most effective in not spreading it. I would still wear a mask just in case for future reference. It doesn't hurt and it can give you that little extra confidence to relax.

Today though, I was picking up after my dog. When stood up, a woman with a stroller walked right by me.

I understand your frustrations, she should have circled around you leaving 6 feet. Walk in more wide-open spaces, she must have been very close already if all you did was pick up. Don't take your mask off. Everyone out there isn’t a carrier. But you can't tell from looking who is. If I had a choice between being sweaty and dead.....

As much as I try to avoid it, I've had people pass by me quickly in a grocery store aisle less than 6' away. You just have to be vigilant...and wear a mask!

Last week I needed a certain item from a shelf at the market. A woman was right where I needed to be to get it. I waited at a safe distance behind her but she was NOT moving. I left and went on to pick up whatever else I needed then came back. Ugh...she was still there! People need to grab what they need and move on.

but she was NOT moving.

Maybe she was dead.

This gives more of an idea, how far away would be good... but no matter, Annegriet, I think you will be fine. Maybe you need a sign on your back, stating: GIVE ME SIX FEET DISTANCE!

https://medium.com/@jurgenthoelen/belgian-dutch-study-why-in-times-of-covid-19-you-can-not-walk-run-bike-close-to-each-other-a5df19c77d08

I reached into the vegi bin to grab a package of peppers the stocker HAD TO lean over and say hello! If she had just nodded THAT wold have been fine!! zip your lips people!! Sorry to say this but I would say yes, IF she had the virus you COULD have been exposed. This episode is MUCH more likely that getting it say from touching a can of peas... air borne is the #1 way 99.9% of the time how this spreads!!!

chloebud was she short?

ChloeBud, I know exactly how you felt! I posted something a couple of days ago about a woman who literally made contact with me after I turned around toward my cart. I had observed her being way too close to a lot of people in the store and it really made me angry. I had taken maybe 5-10 seconds to pick out a package of chicken and put it in a bag. When I turned, she was right there moving in.

Annegriet, maybe the woman didn’t think she had much room to maneuver her stroller. I wouldn’t stress over it too much.

maifleur, I'd say she was average height...why? She'd parked herself in front of the bags of lettuce at Trader Joe's apparently studying each and every one.

OutsidePlaying, it's really irritating how oblivious some people are with this. You only took a matter of seconds, and she still couldn't wait for you to walk away!

Anne I had to laugh at your description of how you walk because I do the same. Poor dog, start out south, now we’re going north, cross the street, cross back again it’s crazy. A time or two I’ve had people pop out of nowhere and worried a bit. We are probably needlessly careful but it gives us peace of mind.

i find 5-6 o’clock has more walkers than earlier.

The media is diligent on telling people to get what they want to buy at the store and leave. Don't handle every pepper, looking for the perfect one, pick what you want and move. Same as canned food, everything. Scan with your eyes then touch.

It was on the news that even running or cycling, you have to keep a further distance apart, and ideally, to the side of one another. Droplets can fly off the person in front to the person behind.

I wore a scarf to a store yesterday as it's a small store. There were signs all over to keep a safe distance apart. Everyone was, except for the girl behind me. I even moved forward a bit, and she got right up behind me. She had a mask on, so thought it was safe to do so, perhaps, I don't know. I was going to say something but I didn't. Even the employee who was telling people which checkout was open didn't say anything. Ok Jasdip, no more ms nice girl, I've got to be vocal from now on.

You are more likely to get a virus by touching something that was recently touched by someone ill and then your face or even your mask if you are wearing one than simply walking by someone. If they aren't talking to you or sneezing or coughing near you it will be fine. The virus isn't a flea or tick. It can't jump or crawl on onto you. You have to have some direct connection, through vapor or touch.

The 6' comes from how far the droplets and spittle typically travels when speaking. So 2 people speaking face to face 6' apart are less likely to transmit anything to each other. The 6' is less important if you are not talking, esp face to face and are not touching each other with your hands that may then touch your face. Walking by someone else, even if less than 6' away, in a store is unlikely to transmit any virus.

We've gone on lots of walks lately and have encountered plenty of people who seem oblivious to social distancing. Even so, no signs of illness for either of us, knock wood. I wouldn't worry as long as she didn't aim any sneezes or coughs in your direction.