(With
Memorial Day serving as the unofficial first day of summer, and with the
official first day this week, people will be tempted to go to the pool, the
beach or take a vacation. Recognizing that we are still experiencing the
COVID-19 pandemic, we asked Dr. Joe Kanter, assistant state health officer, if
traditional summertime activities can happen during a pandemic and, if so, are
there any special precautions that individuals and families should take?)
Is
it safe to go swimming?
We don’t believe the virus can spread very easily through the
water, whether it is salt water or chlorinated, swimming pool water. The virus
isn’t going to move across the water from one person to another. The risk,
however, is getting too close to others while in the pool. That’s the same risk
as if you are not in a pool; COVID-19 spreads easiest by breathing,
speaking, coughing, singing or laughing when in close proximity
to another person, whether in or out of the pool.
What
about going to summer camps or large get-togethers like family barbecues?
Camping, fishing and barbecuing are all low-risk activities.
Families should get outside. To be safe, identify who is in your close group —
know who they are because that contributes to your exposure risk. And,
if there are members of your close group who are at a higher risk …
such as over 65 or who have underlying health conditions. What is riskier, are
the things you have to do to get to the campsite or the fishing site. This
includes stopping at a gas station or going shopping for supplies. This is
where you really need to take the precautions: wear masks, use hand sanitizer
and keep your distance from others.
Are
there any activities that people should avoid altogether?
You should avoid anything that involves a crowd. When you are real
close to others, your or someone else’s respiratory droplets can spread the
virus. The same distance requirements apply whether indoors or outside.
What
other considerations are important?
You should always try to decrease your risks. If the restaurant
offers outdoor seating, use that option because eating outside is safer. You
should also judge the establishment to get a sense as to how seriously they
take these precautions. If you see a whole bunch of people crowding around one
another, that’s not a place you want to go to. It’s not worth the risk.
What
responsibilities do business owners have?
We’re looking to businesses to take the necessary steps to protect
their employees and their patrons. As customers, we should vote with our feet
and go to places where they exhibit concern for safety. That’s good business
practices right now.
What
about hotels and vacation homes? What precautions should we take when renting a
room or another place to stay?
Make sure that wherever go stay, that the business — Airbnb, hotel
and condo operator — should thoroughly clean and wipe down between guests. This
includes cleaning hard surfaces, door handles, bathrooms.
And, we should do that wiping down ourselves, as well, with a
clean, sanitized cloth rag. The biggest risk is when you are in the lobby when
you are checking in or leaving. Be sure to keep distance between yourself and
others. You want to make sure you are wearing your mask and that other people
are wearing their masks. That will increase your safety.
Is there anything that we should keep in mind while traveling this summer?
When traveling by plane, use your mask on the flight and while in
the airport. This will go a long way to prevent the spread of the virus. People
should be aware of all hard surfaces they touch. Limit the amount that you
touch countertops, door handles, handrails, escalator rails. Use hand sanitizer
after touching these surfaces.
Also, do what you can to avoid lines. If you see a line forming,
just hang back and wait until that line gets shorter. Be cognizant of the
people around you. And, if possible, avoid situations where you would be within
6 feet of others.
Is
it possible to have a safe summer vacation?
Yes, it is possible to be safe on a summer vacation. But, families
may want to reevaluate where they want to go. Today, driving a few hours is a
more appealing option than getting on a plane because it’s a lot simpler.
And, you should watch the news to see what’s going on in the
locations that you are considering as a destination. If I was planning a trip
to a place where they are experiencing a growing outbreak, I would reconsider
and go someplace else. Families should take this all into consideration.
Any
final thoughts on reducing your risk this summer?
Anytime you travel, there are risks. There are things families can
do to mitigate their risks because you can’t eliminate all risks. You have to
look at your family situation, take into account who is in your family — do you
have older family members or do some members have underlying conditions — take
those into account and make a responsible decision.
