Swimming during the covid pandemic

The dry season has arrived and the desire to swim in the pool and beach is increasing. However, people, including parents, are certainly worried about whether swimming in a pool during the COVID-19 pandemic is safe or not. Here is some information to consider swimming during a pandemic.

Swimming considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic

According to the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) so far there has been no research to prove that the spread of COVID-19 can occur in water in swimming pools and other types of ponds.

This is because usually swimming pools have been mixed with disinfectants to clean water, such as chlorine and bromine which are said to kill viruses.

Even so, the risk of contracting COVID-19 while in ponds, lakes and beaches still exists. One consideration is the close contact that occurs when in water or outside a swimming pool.

According to dr. Daniel Pastula, infectious disease expert at UC Health, swimming during the COVID-19 pandemic is at high risk when you don't keep your distance from other people. In essence, the risk of spreading the virus does not occur in water, but when it is swarming. What's more, you may find it more difficult to wear a mask soaking wet.

In addition, you also need to see if the government has allowed public swimming pools to reopen. If it's allowed and you still want to swim in the midst of a pandemic, don't forget to follow established health protocols to make it safer.

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Chlorine can kill viruses in water, but …

One of the considerations for swimming during COVID-19 is that some of you may feel safe because disinfectants kill viruses in the water. In theory, it is actually quite safe to be in a swimming pool during a pandemic if you are swimming alone.

However, the level of risk of transmitting the virus will increase when you go to a crowded public swimming pool. The reason is, you must still assume that everyone is very likely to get COVID-19.

Anything they touch may become contaminated. Meanwhile, getting in and out of the pool without touching the surface or interacting with other people will be more difficult.

Nothing can guarantee that you don't catch the virus when you handle door knobs, lockers, and other surfaces that other people touch.

According to research published in New England Journal of Medicine, the COVID-19 virus can survive on hard surfaces, such as plastic and steel. Although the risk of catching COVID-19 from the surface is quite low, the problem is the number of people you will meet in swimming pools.

Then, not a few people feel immune from the COVID-19 virus. This denial eventually made them continue their activities without heeding the symptoms that appeared. This makes the risk level of transmission of the virus greater because they are not vigilant, including in swimming pools.

So, is it safe to swim in a lake or beach?

If swimming in public swimming pools still has a risk of spreading COVID-19 that needs to be watched out for, what about swimming in lakes or beaches?

Basically, swimming during the COVID-19 pandemic in the lake should be safe because the virus cannot spread in the water. However, people still need to keep their distance from other people and keep their hands clean.

For those who want to visit the beach and swim in the sea, you need to increase your vigilance considering that there will be waves that can drown someone.

In addition, people may already be allowed to visit beaches in some areas. However, the government still asked them not to crowd.

Flocking to the beach will only increase the risk of spreading the virus. The reason is, when you are near someone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 or has no symptoms at all, it is possible that you inhale droplet (saliva splashes) that are contaminated.

Therefore, one way that needs to be done when traveling is to use a mask to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus. This also applies when you go to the beach or lake.

Tips for swimming in public pools during the COVID-19 pandemic

If you still want to go to a public pool and the government has allowed it, here are some tips to stay safe while swimming during COVID-19.

• Focused on physical distancing and cleanliness when near water.
• Visit at less crowded hours, at the beginning or end of the day.
• Cut down on touching things that don't belong to yourself.
• Use disinfectants to clean chairs and tables.
• Don't share sunscreen or other items with other people.

Swimming during the COVID-19 pandemic is actually quite safe if you do it in your own swimming pool or a pool that is not visited by many people.

That way, you can keep at least 2-3 meters away from other people. This is done in order to reduce the risk of transmission that can occur through contaminated surfaces and goods.

If you are worried, it's best not to push yourself. However, don't forget to exercise even if it's only at home to keep your body healthy and fit in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.