Your child’s school has been closed for two weeks, and everyone’s starting to go stir-crazy. She’s begging for a playdate, and her friend next door seems healthy. You know you’re supposed to practice social distancing, but the local park is pretty big to move around in. Could it really hurt to head out with a friend just this once?

Unfortunately, the answer is pretty clear. Although doctors think that children who contract coronavirus often won’t be as affected as adults, they can still be carriers, and therefore infect other people. Some studies suggest that the virus can be transmitted before symptoms appear, making it even more important to follow the rules. “The goal here is to create space between people to