No matter what the CDC says about chlorine killing the virus, my family is very concerned about my return to the pool, due to those who spit, pee, sweat in the pool, and particularly the heavy breathing above the water by other swimmers. Not to mention that they don't 100% believe that chlorine kills the virus, since we are inundated with contradictory recommendations and cautions. Is anyone staying away from pools until it really is "safe" -- the cases don't rise significantly? I worry about being the carrier to my family, esp. my grandson, who I watch and adore. I admit, I'm concerned about safety above the water, no matter what precautions the pools say they are taking. I swam indoors and watched guards look the other way when people don't shower off before getting in, or spit in the pool, and I've seen worse that I won't share here.
With out continuing the mask controversy, (and I agree that people need to wear masks when appropriate) I'm still interested in how safe do fellow swimmers feel getting back into the pool, sharing a pool with people who could be carriers (or heaven forbid, ill), breathing heavily, maybe choking, spitting, passing one another in lanes?
In my case, I feel safe, because I'm just about the only one around! The outdoor pool in my Sun City community has a two-lane lap swimming section that is off to the side. Most of the time, I have been the only one swimming. When another swimmer is in the pool, I make sure I stop on opposite ends from them, and I don't engage in conversation until one or both of us are out on deck and far enough apart. In the pool, though, the lanes are already "socially distanced" by design. I make sure to stop on the far side from the other swimmer, and I always breathe away from them on freestyle.
Next week, the indoor pool is re-opening, and it's on a reservation system with a limit. Again, considering the steps they are taking, I feel safe. My mask will stay on until I get in the water, and it will return back on my face as soon as I'm finished rinsing off. For my post-swim dryland work, I will move back outside into the shade.
With out continuing the mask controversy, (and I agree that people need to wear masks when appropriate) I'm still interested in how safe do fellow swimmers feel getting back into the pool, sharing a pool with people who could be carriers (or heaven forbid, ill), breathing heavily, maybe choking, spitting, passing one another in lanes?
Anyway, it doesn't really matter. Just wear a &^*%ing mask.
:chug: We'll agree on that! It's just too bad that message doesn't come from the top. I can just hear COVIDiots across the country complaining, "President Trump won't wear one, so why should I?
Even Dr. Fauci, Dr. Birx, and other medical experts weren't wearing masks while standing right next to each other at press conferences long after they directed others to wear them. They finally did after several weeks. Then, wouldn't you know, Dr. Fauci had to self-quarantine due to exposure...
Note to EVERYBODY: Stop making masks political! :bitching: The facts are clear that cloth masks protect the wearer from transmitting AND/OR contracting the virus, even if they aren't as effective as N95's (which should be saved for first responders in most cases). When you go out in public, wear a mask not just to protect others, but to protect yourself!
Hi Elaine, you're lucky that you have such a nice "private" pool. one of the most congested states in the US with one of the highest # of COVID cases, I suspect that all the swimmers from our indoor gyms will flock to the 2 local outdoor pools in my area. One pool only has 2 lanes open all day for swimmers, and is insanely busy with camps and kids. The other pool has very wide lanes in which circle swimming occurred constantly. I'm not sure when they open (next week) how they will coordinate swimming.
I am concerned for myself. The outdoor 50 meter pool at my health club opened recently and they are allowing 4 swimmer per lane. I know from swimming there the last 5+ years that although there are few times when there are more than 2 swimmers per lane, those times do occur. I am not even comfortable with sharing a lane, as I know exhale strongly, and sometimes cough or sneeze mid-lane due to allergies and whatnot and because the general lap swimmer at this facility spends A LOT of time on the wall. Not to mention that the pool has "transformed" within the last year from an almost strictly workout pool to more of a "family gathering pool" with families sitting around the deck and young kids jumping off the sides and starting blocks into occupied lanes with very little adult supervision and zero awareness. I am thinking about suspending my membership through the fall when the families will be gone and people generally slow down on the outdoor swimming. I would love to swim outdoors but I do not want someone in my lane at this time.
Keith, I feel much the same. I'm more concerned about the swimmers whizzing (or noddling) by me, breathing, talking, yelling, etc. If I could swim alone (and be the first in the pool, lol), I'd feel better, but that isn't happening in my area.
