General, Research, Technology

Is it safe to swim during a coronavirus pandemic?

The coronavirus pandemic has surely put an end tosummer plans, but there is good news: despite the fact that in our country the summer is sometimes cold, this does not mean that we will not swim. Scientists have found that swimming in the pool and sea during a pandemic is quite safe, as there is no evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, can be infected in chlorinated and seawater. It turns out that even though you have to prepare for a trip to the nearest pool or beach (at least wear a protective mask and gloves), is swimming safe? We tell you what to do in order not to get infected with COVID-19 during your vacation and why swimming in fresh water is a bad idea.

Swimming during a pandemic is possible and necessary. We tell you how!

Can coronavirus spread in the pool?

As the world gradually leaves quarantine, and insummer is approaching the northern hemisphere, many countries open beaches and pools and even announce the opening of the tourist season, as Turkey recently did. At the same time, travelers are wondering about the safety of travel in general and staying in public places, such as beaches. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that coronavirus can spread through water in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas or water playgrounds.

As told ambulance doctor Dr. Rajiv Bahl, although the trip to the pool will not be the same as it was before the pandemic, by taking a number of precautions, you can enjoy swimming.

For more news on how the world is fighting the coronavirus pandemic, read our channel on Google News

When visiting the indoor pool, you should not forget about the risk of getting COVID-19

Ernest Blutchley is of the same opinionIII, a professor at Purdue University who explores how chlorine in swimming pools reacts to human body fluids, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Since chlorine effectively inactivates viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, Blutchley believes that being in the water is safe. On the other hand, air in the indoor pool poses the same risk of coronavirus spread as in other enclosed spaces. Water will not affect the risk of getting infected, so the most urgent problem, according to the professor, is the pollution of air or surfaces in the premises of the pools.

Meanwhile, the results of a new studyThe Spanish High Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) has shown that chlorine, which is disinfected in most pools, contributes to the death of coronavirus. Disinfection of areas adjacent to the pool using specialized tools is also enough to destroy the virus, the researchers write. Accordingly, contamination of COVID-19 by contact with surfaces in pools is unlikely.

Will everyone now be given a path?

Researchers note that properoperation and standard quality maintenance of pools is the key to the health of its visitors. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, increased attention should be paid to the common areas around the pool. Also, do not share with other glasses, snorkels or other swimming equipment. But the main thing is to remember that virus particles can potentially remain on lockers and swimming accessories, which means washing your hands with soap and water remains the most effective precautionary method.

If your city has a swimming pool,ask your staff about the safety measures taken and the cleanliness of the pool. It will not be superfluous to clarify information on the observance of social distance measures, the presence or absence of rescuers, as well as information on the disinfection of a public area near the pool. Experts note that the main problem for indoor pools is the risk of coronavirus spreading through the air and crowding.

Thus, if the situation with the spread of coronavirus in our country improves by the summer, it is possible that many pools will be reopened. But what about swimming in the sea, lake or river?

Is it safe to swim in the sea and sunbathe on the beach?

As CSIC researchers write, COVID-19 infectionin sea water is unlikely, since salt and volumes of the sea contribute to a decrease in viral load and its inactivation. Thus, any discharge, whether from sneezing or coughing, will quickly dissolve in sea water without any harm to others. So if you are lucky and you find yourself at sea, wash your hands thoroughly, observe measures of social distance and calmly swim!

Truly happy are those who live on the seashore!

There are three factors that make infection difficult.coronavirus on the beach: sun, salinity of sea sand and surface roughness. Ultraviolet light destroys the virus in the sand, which itself contains the remains of sea salt.

Is it safe to swim in fresh waters?

But in fresh waters, as the Spanish writescientists, swimming is not worth it. So trips to the river and the nearest body of water should be made only to enjoy the view of the water. This is because the virus is able to survive in fresh water. Studies of other coronaviruses with characteristics similar to SARS-CoV-2 showed that the virus remains active for some time in a natural freshwater environment. It also follows from the CSIC report that it is impossible to completely exclude the likelihood of infection while bathing in water or staying on beaches near sewage, as the results of fecal analyzes of patients infected with COVID-19 confirmed the presence of the virus.

You will be interested: What microbes live in pools?

In general, if you really want to swim,You have a choice where exactly to do this, give preference to the sea or the pool. What are your plans for the summer? Will you swim? Join the participants of our Telegram chat to discuss whether to swim this summer and how to behave in the pool ..