How safe is swimming?

[Serendipper]

Does anyone have any articles/research on the transmission in swimming pools?

I’d love to take my toddler swimming but I’m pregnant and not taking many risks.

Thanks

Well chlorine supposedly kills the virus so pool pretty safe . It’s the changing etc that are more of a risk .

My ds is a swimmer.

Chlorine itself is actually quite good because it's a natural disinfectant!

Risks will be areosol transmission and touch surfaces. But that's anywhere.

As long as you follow the rules set up in pool it's as safe as anywhere else you visit.

Eg Covid secure. Which means all necessary precautions have been taken to limit risk.

It's a good idea to go beach ready. So stuff underneath. Then quick change afterwards and wash hands before leaving centre.

Shower etc at home but most have kept their showers closed anyway. They should clean cubicles between each use and if you call your centre they'll let you know how they work.

But the swim bodies have worked hard with government and leisure centres to produce good guidance.

The pool itself is safe, as the chlorine kills the virus - I’ve heard various Doctors/scientists saying this and I’m sure The WHO have stated this as well (seem to remember an article back in June/July saying this)

My local pool allocate you a changing room and a locker which is cleaned before and after I’ve used it. I always gel my hands as I’m leaving.

Is there any risk of it hanging in the air longer due to the pool being so humid? We’ve been going swimming in the first slot of the day so the pool has been empty all night

Pretty safe, I'd have thought. Chlorine is a type of bleach and a great disinfectant.

I feel pretty safe swimming. We can only use the changing rooms afterwards, not allowed to shower and there are quite a few other measures in place. I don’t get especially close to anyone else. I don’t have a child though, so don’t know if that would be different.

If worried OP either go early/book an early slot on a week day...I think it’s fine though as people have said with the chlorine

Is your pool actually open for toddlers? It’s lane swimming and lessons only at mine.

I think pool likely does kill it.
But it doesnt kill all virues apparently adenovirus can be found in swimming pools and that can cause pretty much identical symptoms (so needing a test etc).
My dd2 always ends up swallowing some water.
Tbh i would be most concerned about the air and surfaces.
Ive cancelled dd swimming lessons as she can swim and we would need to also stay inside the 30min

Your chances of dying of Covid are lower than of drowning, if you are under 40 and have no other risk factors.

Obviously op is pregnant though.

I would think probably safer than eating out. As noone has to breathe on your food. You are likely more than 2m away.

Also not sure them going in to clean it necessarily helps as depends airborne vs surface
How many go in the changing room over a day (breathing and touching etc including cleaners).

Anywhere unmasked inside is a risk

If it helps I am pregnant (3rd trimester) and I have been swimming weekly for about a month now. I am cautious generally and don't go to the supermarket (although I have been in a few smaller shops for brief periods of time) or restaurants. I feel the swimming is really beneficial for my health right now and I don't feel too worried in the pool - fewer people than usual and the changing rooms are cleaner than usual. We have taken our toddler too. I will probably stop swimming as I enter the last few weeks of pregnancy though as I intend to basically shield then, particularly because it feels like the risk will increase as the weather gets colder.

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

Is your pool actually open for toddlers? It’s lane swimming and lessons only at mine.

Same I cant wait to take my 3 year old swimming again.

Yep, very restricted lane swimming sessions at ours too.
Do wonder how long the Sports Centres are going to be able to afford to stay open?

Swimming was the first activity we did as a family, we hadn't ate out or anything. It was before the dc went back to school and dh and I wear PPE all the time in work. We rarely go into shops. Anyway, we all got a really heavy cold a couple of days later, raging! We were like how the flip did we pick this up when we are so careful Anyway, it didn't put us off, we have been going every week since!