This will likely be known as the summer of COVID-19. While our attention has been on the health crisis, the weather has undeniably heated up, which means that many people are wondering whether or not it is safe to go to the pool. This is particularly true for parents with children who have plenty of energy. However, is it safe to go to the pool during an ongoing pandemic? Here, we want to discuss the health implications of family pool trips and what you can do to stay safe.
Is Swimming During COVID-19 High Risk?
In general, the areas that pose the most risk of people contracting COVID-19 outside of their homes are indoor spaces, particularly restaurants, movie theaters, bars, gyms, etc. That is why these areas were among the first places that were shut down during the initial phases of the pandemic.
Outdoor spaces generally pose less risk for contracting COVID-19. However, when someone is enjoying an outdoor activity, such as going to a swimming pool, they still need to follow basic safety tips to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Social Distancing & Swimming
It is no secret that prolonged close contact with other people results in a higher risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19. If you and your family want to go to a swimming pool, you should choose a pool that limits the number of people that are allowed to come in. This will allow for proper social distancing (6 feet for people who are not in your family).
Indoor pools will pose more of a risk of contracting COVID-19 than outdoor pools. If you have a choice between the two, take your family to an outdoor pool to ensure that there is a better chance of social distancing while also allowing fresh air to circulate continuously.
Water Safety Best Practices
It is still recommended that people who go to the pool wash their hands and use hand sanitizer regularly. Health experts recommend that people wear masks in the pool area, though not while they were swimming. According to the CDC, there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread through the water in a pool. The CDC says that proper operation and maintenance, including disinfection with chlorine and bromine, should cause the virus to become inactive in the water.
As always, you need to be aware of other risks of being around swimming pools. This is especially true when you have young children in your family. Accidental drownings occur all the time. In many cases, these drownings occur because there was a temporary lapse in the supervision of a child. When you have young children or inexperienced swimmers with you, make sure they wear an approved life jacket around the water, even at swimming pools.
Experienced West Virginia Premises Liability Lawyers
If you or somebody you care about has sustained an injury or illness and a public swimming pool, you may need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At Tiano O’Dell, PLLC, we are going to conduct a full investigation into your case and work to determine whether or not the injury occurred due to the negligence of another party. If you are entitled to compensation, we will stand by your side. When you need a West Virginia premises liability attorney, contact us for a free consultation. We can be reached online or at (304) 720-6700.