Yahoo: Experts agree that swimming is safe during COVID-19, but you'll need to take precautions
UC expert says public pools present social distancing challenges
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the UC College of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases was featured in an article on Yahoo on the risks posed by public swimming pools as we head from spring into summer.
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the UC College of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases. Photo/Joe Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand
The good news for those who live in areas where public pools have opened? The risk isn't the water itself. According to the Centers For Disease Control, there's no evidence that the virus can be spread through pools or hot tubs. The greater risk comes from fellow swimmers.
Dr. Fichtenbaum agreed, noting that going to a public pool often means showering in a common location and using shared bathrooms. "Individuals with COVID-19 might transmit to others, and social distancing is hard in this setting," Dr. Fichtenbaum said. "And wearing a mask isn't feasible. So, there may be a risk of transmission of COVID-19 when going to a public pool."
Read the entire article here.
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