Would you go swimming?

[Cherryghost]

Need to get my teen out and doing something. He has become lethargic and just lies in bed. We do got for walks but other than that he has lost all motivation.
Just wondering what the consensus is on whether swimming would be too high a risk?

I would but our pool isn't reopening yet... They may in September...

I've been for a swim at our local lido. It felt very safe. Hardly any other swimmers, no lockers or changing rooms, double lanes.

Personally no. You’re relying on the chemicals in the water to kill Covid, which is most certainly in there considering the number of swimmers.

No but I'm in greater Manchester ,I know what you mean though about lethargic teens lying in bed all day I have one of them too.🙄

Yes probably. The chlorine does apparently kill the virus.

Yes I have been a few times since my gym reopened last Saturday, once with the kids, and have loved it. Swimming was my favourite form of exercise and I have really missed it. The chlorine in the water kills the virus and changing rooms aren’t anymore risky than other indoor places imo

I'm tempted to go to the outdoor pool, it's filled with sea water and there is some suggestion that salt water kills it off.

Yes I have been several times in the past week.

Other than the fact that in an area of about 300,000 to 400,000 people across 4 public pools there is provision for 30 families to go swimming per week and I'd feel a cow to trot off for a nice grown up lane swim while the provision for children borders on to the insultingly close to non-existant, yes, I would go swimming.

The benefits far outweigh the hazards.

I would much rather encourage a teenager to go swimming rather than wasting their youth in their bed.

Have been to a swim today and would definitely encourage it. My gym has requested only members swimming use the lockers, gym users should arrive changed to reduce numbers at the lockers. The pool max is 8 per lane but I have never seen that many.
I will be taking my kids back tomorrow as I'm happy with the Covid provisions.

Have you asked your local pool how they are operating?

Yes we’ve travelled an hour to our nearest outdoor pool a couple of times and I’ve been taking my kids aged 9 and 11 swimming to another indoor pool two to three times per week as their swim club and local pools aren’t open yet. The pools have had to be prebooked and numbers have been limited. Has been great.

I've been on a UK holiday to a hotel with with an outdoor pool. Our family of four swam in the pool each day with around up to 10 others, sometimes on our own.

It was glorious, with the sun on our faces.

www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=47574f7a6e454dc6a42c5f6912ed7076
Personally, I would not feel comfortable swimming unless there was somewhere I could swim outdoors while maintaining social distancing, with no need to use indoor changing rooms. If you live in England, you might find the attached map helpful in assessing Covid risk in your local area. Areas with 3 or more positive test results in the period 20-26 July are shaded blue and you can see the number of positive tests for that area. I live too near to far too much blue to feel comfortable in public indoor spaces.

To add, my family includes two teens. It did them the world of good.

Yes. Been a few times and it's been great.

I would. I wish I could, none of our local ones have opened yet.

I would and have to my local lido. My local indoor council pool no way, it's a germ fest tat he best of times. Any outdoor facilities near you?

Yes been twice this week in pool at gym. It was wonderful.

I’ve just found out there’s a lake near me opening next week for open water swimming and Im really tempted to try it.

Yes, the pool at our local leisure centre opens tomorrow and I have booked myself in to several sessions this week. I can’t wait.
It’s limited numbers, Lane swimming only, arrive in costume and I will go home to shower. I can’t wait!! I have missed swimming so much.

Yes, the chlorine in the water will kill any viruses. But I’d get changed in the car and shower at home.

I understand chlorine will kill off most things. My concern is what if someone starts coughing and spluttering out of the water , is there enough space that those particles wouldn’t get you ?

All the scientists I've heard/read have said chlorine in the amounts in pools will definitely kill the virus. I would be more worried about the sea/salt water pools. I've been swimming a few times and it's really good - really wide lanes so people don't swim close to each other, own way system etc. The more dangerous thing is the changing area, but you could wear your swimming costume there under clothes and then just change straight into clothes and change at home if you're worried. I just changed there and used hand sanitizer.

That map was interesting - really hardly any cases!

Yes but our pools are closed until mid September at least, although I think the risk from swimming is much less than going to the pub/restaurants personally.

My DC swim in the sea a lot, cycle, run - any such options for your teen?

I've been swimming at our local pool (not UK) three times. Pure bliss. We're going away to a holiday apartment complex which has a pool. We will be using it. Neither pool has showers or changing rooms so I've invested in really comfy poncho changing robes. They've also been useful for our sea swims.