For those who have been swimming in local pools

On the other hand, epidemiologists are saying the microscopic aerosols we exhale can linger in the air for up to three hours. I find this to be inconsistent with the current claims of wear masks unless you can social distance. The whole 6 feet thing seems to not really fit with the above theory. And I believe them when they say it. The only thing I can figure is that they have also stated it takes a certain number of cells for it to take hold. In that vein, dilution plays a critical role, even indoors. Though if you recall I had stated earlier I thought indoor pools may be better than outdoor pools - I no longer believe that because of the whole dilution affect. So yeah, a strong ventilation system will play a key role in this. Good job getting your community to mandate the masks. TN had been trending towards GA, too, in both case load, and positions of our respective governors. Fortunately we are FINALLY seeing people start to wear masks around here, due in part to the local health department mandating them. Still maybe 15% or so who disregard it, but better than 90% before the mandate.

I do a lot of kick drills with a kickboard, and am a better ***/backstroker than a free styler, so I'm glad that they are limited 1 person per lane, except husband and wife couples, which is, IMO, odd that they couldn't each have their own lane. Unless they have proof of marriage anyone can say they are married. LOL. What about siblings, couples living together? I think that's a silly rule.

I find this to be inconsistent with the current claims of wear masks unless you can social distance. The whole 6 feet thing seems to not really fit with the above theory. And I believe them when they say it. The only thing I can figure is that they have also stated it takes a certain number of cells for it to take hold. In that vein, dilution plays a critical role, even indoors. Though if you recall I had stated earlier I thought indoor pools may be better than outdoor pools - I no longer believe that because of the whole dilution affect. So yeah, a strong ventilation system will play a key role in this. Good job getting your community to mandate the masks. TN had been trending towards GA, too, in both case load, and positions of our respective governors. Fortunately we are FINALLY seeing people start to wear masks around here, due in part to the local health department mandating them. Still maybe 15% or so who disregard it, but better than 90% before the mandate. It does seem inconsistent. The way I look at it is that the top scientists know a hell of a lot more about this than I do, so I will trust their advice and go with it. Better to be safe than sorry! As for winning over the board president, :D. To quote the late Congressman John Lewis, I was making "good trouble" and it paid off. I'm sure there will be some residents who will scream bloody murder at having to wear masks, but it was the right thing to do. Here in Georgia, most people are NOT wearing masks. :shakeshead:

Kids' swim team had one mom test positive. Lapse of judgement, and she sent her kid to practice during quarantine. No issues from that. Another kid who actually hadn't been going to many practices this Summer got it, but no other cases. But we have not had issues with a much larger group that one would see in a gym pool. Have not heard of any of the other local teams with issues, either, but one coach from a Summer league team got it - again, no swimmers did. As a pretty militant masker, I feel the pool is about the safest environment one could be in. And most of what I've seen now is saying it takes about 15 minutes of expsure for it to spread, so walking through the bulding to the pool probably isn't a big problem, either.

Thanks, 67King. I'm concerned about swimmers passing me in the next lane, breathing heavily in my direction.

This is an excellent video from PBS proving how masks DO work, and it also demonstrates why it is important for your mask to cover your mouth AND nose-- and fit properly. https://youtu.be/0Tp0zB904Mc

Would love to hear from swimmers who've been swimming in outdoor/indoor pools. I know the data about chlorine killing the virus, but would feel better knowing swimmers have stayed COVID free. I've been swimming in 2 different outdoor pools since they re-opened. 1. A, "municipal," pool that is a proper pool (lane ropes, lines), with lifeguards, etc. 8 lanes, outside, and they've been fantastic with aerating nightly most of the summer (water temp usually around 80-82, sometimes less). I typically swim there M/W/F mornings, sometimes an occasional other day (either afternoon on Tues/Thurs or weekends). 2. My community, "resort-style," pool. They say it is 25 yards, but I think slightly less. It has lines on the bottom, but not on the sides, and no ropes. It is open daily 6am to 10pm. I usually go shortly after it opens. No lifeguards. I'll occasionally see another person there, usually they are also swimming (or attempting to). In addition to these pools, I also swim in a local lake about every week. After everything shut down in March, I took about 2 weeks off, then tried a lake. The water was cold in early April (like mid-60s), but it was either that or not swim. I don't have a wetsuit. I've since moved upriver (or uplake), to where the lake starts, right after a major dam, where the water is even cooler (about 62F on Saturday). But the area where I began swimming has water way too warm (mid-80s), and way too busy, with people, boats, wave runners, and pretty much anything else you can think of. My suggestion would be to go to the pool. Maybe wear your suit and bring your stuff with you. Check everything out. What is comfortable for some is definitely not comfortable for others. Don't be afraid to walk away if you don't feel 100% comfortable with the way they are running things. If you have to pay, consider it money well spent to check the place out (even better if they will let you just go and explore and only pay if you swim). Prior to all of this, I was going to a gym on Tues/Thurs, but I definitely do not feel comfortable doing that right now. The gym chain I belonged to (24 Hour Fitness) closed the location I was using, and the nearest is much further away. Eventually, when I feel comfortable, I plan to explore other options that are nearby, such as LA Fitness and Gold's. These are unusual times, and it calls for being extra careful. That said, there's a point where some people need to get outside and back to some semblance of normalcy (if you are high-risk you'll need to weigh that into your comfort level). Although I wasn't out of the water very long, that feeling when I first got back in the water was such a great feeling, and I'm glad I did.

I felt like I was dreaming when I was driving there yesterday. I had a fabulous swim, it was as though I'd never stopped! Glad you took a chance and went! Hope things continue to work out well and that you're able to find somewhere to swim year-round.

aztimm, I finally "took the plunge" and joined the local "resort" which has an indoor (10 lane) and outdoor (6 lane) pool. Outdoor pool was 84 today. Uggh, but since this is my first time back in a pool since March, I feel better outside. Both pools have lane dividers and lines on the bottom. However, they don't enforce one per lane, and your typical little kids and noodlers use the adult only lap pool outside with no enforcement from guards. At this point, I'm so grateful to have a place to swim, I am dealing with it. There are plenty of hand sanitizers and masks are worn where social distancing is not possible. I could cancel membership in one week, but as this is my only opportunity to swim until a vaccine comes out, I am swimming there until they close on Labor Day. (None of our indoor pools have opened, except for this very pricey "resort" center.) I felt like I was dreaming when I was driving there yesterday. I had a fabulous swim, it was as though I'd never stopped!

I was hoping when schools started back that many kids/adults would not not going to pools. Well - it seems "remote learning" will be the norm for a while now. Maybe wnen they are at home the gym/pools will be more open and prepared for me to chance it once again. FWIW, in our school district, "remote learning" means real time, active participation with attendance taken. It is NOT a "learn at your pace and schedule" thing. They are online from 8:30AM-3:30PM non-stop. (Of course, they are in teh water from 5-7, and again from 4:30-6:00!)