Some Tips for Staying Safe while Enjoying this Summer
The rules and regulations are changing every day. What you should do, where you should go, what businesses should open. It’s an exhausting effort to keep up. We’ve rounded up some precautions you can take regardless of the rules in place at restaurants, shops and recreation sites.
Here’s how to…
Go Swimming
Beachgoing, lake swimming, and sipping margi’s poolside is synonymous with summer. “It isn’t necessary or practical to wear a face mask while swimming”, says Linsey Marr, an expert in virus transmission at Virginia Tech. There’s no evidence that Covid-19 can be spread to people through water in pools, hot tubs, spas and water play areas; proper maintenance, including use of chlorine and bromine, should inactivate the virus in the water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But people should consider wearing a mask when they are out of the water and near others, Dr. Marr says. “If the pool is crowded, I wouldn’t get in,” she says. Disinfect flotation devices when renting or borrowing, and use your own goggles, snorkels or other gear worn on the face, she adds. Keeping a sanitizing mist on your person at all times allows you to disinfect and sanitize items you come in contact with and your hands as needed. Shop here for The Vanity Project’s sanitizing mist in 2oz glass bottle.
Stay in a Hotel
Excited to leave the house?!? It’s OK to be concerned about safety and cleanliness practices at hotels. Fine Song, a family physician and medical instructor at Duke University in Durham, N.C., says it isn’t necessary to bring your own linens, and towels when checking into a hotel. Asking a hotel prior to stay about clean & safe practices and measures is a great way to have peace of mind and make an informed decision on your hotel stay. Most hotels are doing things like removing mini bars, using one time use menus, sterilizing rooms after stays, forgoing turn down service, contactless room service and providing guests with sanitizing amenities to use during their stay.
Head to the Beach
Beach activity should be fine, as long as people keep responsible distances, experts say. “I think beaches are safe,” says Joseph Vinetz, a medical professor specializing in infectious diseases at the Yale School of Medicine. “There is ventilation, there is sunlight.” Crowds, partying and contact sports are a bad idea. But strolling on the beach and swimming in the water can and should be enjoyed, he says, emphasizing there is no evidence of Covid-19 transmission through seawater. “Keeping a standard two-yard distance” from strangers is always advisable, he says.
Backyard Barbecue
Before inviting friends over, think about setting things up to help maintain distance between people. Position chairs 6 feet apart, lay out utensils and napkins for individuals instead of letting people grab their own, and offer cloth face coverings or ask guests to bring their own bandana and make it part of the event. Experts say don’t be shy about talking with friends about how they have been sheltering in place, before deciding to mingle. “Have conversations about what’s your risk and where have you been. We may not know 100%,” says Marissa Levine, a professor of public health and family medicine at the University of South Florida, Tampa.
Go Camping
Camping can be a nice way to spend time with friends and family and immerse in the great outdoors. Keeping distance from strangers and wearing face coverings near others should become part of the camp safety rules, says Dr. Levine. Have a game plan. Be sure to bring things like your own toiletries. Shop here for biddettes, a step-up from toilet paper.
Keep Playing
Its summer, time to be active and outdoors, and there is no reason to stop doing that. It’s important for your mental and physical well being. Choose sports with minimal contact like hiking, surfing, mountain biking, trail running. Making adjustments are a small price to pay for enjoying our lives and leaving the house. Go outside!