Anyone who has been in a grocery store in the past week has been greeted with something hitherto unknown in the Las Vegas Valley. There has been aisle after aisle of empty shelves that have been stripped of their contents, proof of the extreme anxiety felt by residents of the Las Vegas area and those who may be visiting.

It is an anxiety motivated by the ignorance of the coronavirus and the possible consequences of its arrival in the Silver State. This scene isn’t limited to grocery stores.

On Tuesday, I observed a similar situation while visiting two of the valley’s largest outdoor stores, Sportsman’s Warehouse in Henderson and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The shelves where ammunition is normally stored were almost empty. The aisles where dehydrated camping meals are usually stored in orderly order had been laid bare.

But what I found in the fishing sections of each store, however, was a completely different scene. Fishing rods lined the walkways, a wide array of gear was on display, and crowds were nonexistent. You could even say it was peaceful in comparison. In many ways, walking in a familiar area, where things seemed normal, provided a respite from the cloud of fear that hung over other areas.

Knowing that many fish products – or their components – come from China, I asked Aaron Heath, Director of Fisheries at Sportsman’s, if the store was having trouble getting the fishing products it needed. He said there had been no problem getting the products they needed or keeping store shelves stocked with fishing gear.

The answer was similar when I asked the same question to Jose Ramirez, a member of the Bass Pro Fishing Department team. Then we talked for several minutes about the fishing opportunities available to anglers who live in southern Nevada. It was a nice change of pace to talk about something other than the coronavirus.

For lovers of the outdoors, another change of pace can be found outdoors where it is possible to socially distance ourselves while enjoying the sun and other aspects that make the outdoors an important part of who we are. .

As of this writing, Nevada state parks remain open to visitors, but with limited services. According to the State Parks Division website, “As a precaution, all scheduled programs and events are canceled until the end of March and sightseeing buses are not permitted. Additionally, all state park museums, visitor centers, gift shops, offices, and the Nevada State Park headquarters are closed to the public.

Where campgrounds are available, overnight camping will still be permitted, but group picnic and camping areas will be closed. State parks ask visitors not to gather in groups of more than 10 people but to maintain social distancing. Visitors are also recommended to bring their own hand washing soap or hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. The fee requirements remain in effect.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area will also remain open with a similar reduction in services and programs to visitors. The Lake Mead Visitor Center, Headquarters Lobby and Entrance Stations are closed to visitors. However, “visitors can continue to enjoy the lakes, trails and open spaces,” according to the recreation area’s website.

If you are interested in the status of any of the business operations or services found in the Lake Mead NRA, the National Park Service recommends that you contact them directly.

While park staff take steps to keep facilities clean and healthy, the NPS and the Division of State Parks recommend that visitors follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even when visiting areas. outdoor spaces.

If you are ill, please stay home so that you do not expose others to what you have. Practice social distancing and don’t be shy about it. Even with all the warnings given to us, some people still feel the need to close the gap.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating. The rule of thumb is to do this for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth, and keep hand sanitizer on hand when soap and water are unavailable.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His column “In the Outdoors,” published Thursday, is neither affiliated nor endorsed by NDOW. All the opinions he States in his column are his. Find him on Facebook at @dougwriyour outside. He can be contacted at [email protected]