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Original poster

Neighbour and swimming pool

49 replies

Coronapool · 25/11/2020 08:15

I live next door but one to an old ish (70s) couple who I'm quite friendly with. They're very active and not shielding. And as far as I know are being careful. We've had a few end of drive chats about things throughout lockdown and I've seen the husband wiping their shopping down, wife going out and about dressed up etc but she has always got a mask on her (she makes them and showed me and offered me one).

They have a small swimming pool and i know the wife uses it each morning as I can hear her asking her husband to come and help her take the cover off it,but recently Ive seen two younger women (I think one is their granddaughter or another family member) coming to use it, all through lockdown.

We're in tier two, pubs shut, some shops, no mixing of households at the moment.

Is this allowed? They dont appear to be using it at the same time as my neighbours do as I know from various chats over the years that they only use their pool of a morning, but I am a bit worried for the couple. I'm not sure if it is illegal? Large garden and the younger women don't seem to go in the house at all.

But also, if the couple use the pool, are they risking catching covid? I dont know what this young woman does (she appears to be mid or late twenties so is perhaps working or mixing and has someone else with her,maybe from same household)?

I'm not sure if neighbours think it is safe when it might not be? I suppose chlorine kills covid but the sides of the pool and the area surrounding it?
I'm a bit anxious for people and not trying to interfere but we get along well and if they're putting themselves at risk and perhaps not knowing they are,I'd tell them.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 25/11/2020 08:18

I would say its very very low risk if the pool is outdoors and the older couple aren't mixing with them.

Namechangedforthisoct2 · 25/11/2020 08:19

Mind your own business!!!
This is making people crazy, seriously read back your post!
Go and find something else to stick your business in if you have that much spare time and emotional capacity.

gurglebelly · 25/11/2020 08:19

Between August and November public swimming pools were open in a lot of places, you just had to be spaced out in the pool. Given that I can't imagine that using an outdoor pool while no-one else is there poses a great deal of risk?

Original poster
Coronapool · 25/11/2020 08:20

Thank you.

I have read it back. Do you think that it is safe for them, as in no risk from someone using the pool?

OP posts:
Original poster
Coronapool · 25/11/2020 08:23

Okay. That's all I was after really.

They're very nice people and I'd hate to think of them being poorly. I was Ill after an operation in 2018 and I'm much younger than them and honestly they couldnt do enough and we didnt have much to do with one another apart from the odd "helllo" back then.

OP posts:
Wannabangbang · 25/11/2020 08:24

The pool will be chlorinated so i doubt much of a risk if they are not in it at the same time. Bubbles are allowed, each family is allowed to bubble up with one other so really it's their business. At that age maybe they think the risk is worth taking. What's the point in living in your 70s and never seeing your family again which is a possibility when you can even catch covid from a supermarket

CherryPavlova · 25/11/2020 08:26

None of your business. Swimming outdoors is hugely healthy.
Ask if you can have a dip when they’re not using it.

Original poster
Coronapool · 25/11/2020 08:27

Good point wannabangbang. I was wondering more if they just thought they were safe doing this when they werent and I just didn't know. :)

OP posts:
MusicTeacherSussex · 25/11/2020 08:28

I would seriously consider minding your own.

steppemum · 25/11/2020 08:29

the virus will be killed in the water due to chlorine.
The air round the pool is moist and good at transmitting the virus, so an indoor pool has the atmosphere problem, the outdoor pool should be fine.

I read recently about an olympic swimmer who is 'borrowing' a backyard pool like this in order to continue training.

I can't see it is a problem if the young women don't come in to the house. Not technically sticking to the rules but...

Ginfordinner · 25/11/2020 08:29

Aren't you in lockdown?

Original poster
Coronapool · 25/11/2020 08:32

steppen yes I'm much less bothered about them sticking to rules and more concerned that they're maybe not being concerned enough for their own health. If it isnt a risk to them (which it seems not to be) of course I'll take no action at all.

The posts telling me to mind my own arent helpful. I just dread to think of either of them getting ill.

It seems this isnt likely though. Thanks to those who have clarified it for me. :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Coronapool · 25/11/2020 08:33

Gin yes.

OP posts:
bigbluebus · 25/11/2020 08:39

If they're being careful in other ways that you describe then I should imagine that they've read up on the risks and made their own assessment. Whilst having others in their garden might not be within the rules at them moment (depending on where you are) I very much doubt your neighbours would be allowing this if they thought it put them at risk.

Original poster
Coronapool · 25/11/2020 08:43

Bigblue yes, I mean I'm sure they think it is safe. I just wanted to check if it really was. I feel a bit reassured now :)
I totally understand if they prefer to live their lives and not adhere to every rule but just in case they thought it was safe and it wasn't. The wife walked right up to me when I walked past their drive recently and I sort of leapt out of the way so I know they're not being as careful as they could be.

OP posts:
movingonup20 · 25/11/2020 08:45

If the water is chlorinated then the risk is minuscule, perhaps the steps handle that they may be wiping down. It's a case of mind your own business with this, they aren't having pool parties, sounds like they are letting a couple of relatives use the pool

CherryPavlova · 25/11/2020 08:52

@Coronapool

Bigblue yes, I mean I'm sure they think it is safe. I just wanted to check if it really was. I feel a bit reassured now :) I totally understand if they prefer to live their lives and not adhere to every rule but just in case they thought it was safe and it wasn't. The wife walked right up to me when I walked past their drive recently and I sort of leapt out of the way so I know they're not being as careful as they could be.
Would you have specialist knowledge they don’t or are they over 70 and therefore incapable of assessing risks themselves? Motivation apaits still none of your business and perhaps even more insulting being quite so patronising towards them
BaronessBomburst · 25/11/2020 08:57

Moist air around the pool will deactivate the virus and isn't good for transmitting it at all. It also reduces aerosol transmission as the aerosols bind with the water making them bigger and heavier. They fall to the ground more quickly and cannot travel so far in the air. The water also facilitates chemical reactions in the virus itself, which damage it.
There's a big push in Europe and America, backed by ASHRAE, for minimum humidity levels in schools, offices, and public spaces. It's been proven that a relative humidity of 40 - 60 % reduces the transmission of viruses. Hospitals have been doing this for years but no-one else bothers as they don't want to pay for it.
Add in the chlorine and an outdoor swimming pool is going to be about as low risk as you can get.

ErrolTheDragon · 25/11/2020 08:58

I suppose chlorine kills covid but the sides of the pool and the area surrounding it?

Do you worry about walkers handling gates? And kids playgrounds are open. The risk of touching things outside seems to be minimal.

Stop worrying. I'm sure your neighbours and the family they're allowing to use the pool will have thought it through, it sounds like they're generally sensible and careful.

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 25/11/2020 08:59

Your anxiety is OTT and masquerading as ‘concern’ . The family members who visit are no less able to risk assess the situation than you.

What if it was illegal? Would you really report your neighbours who are living very responsibly and cautiously, for having two family members in their garden when they themselves are not in their garden?

Regain some perspective.

Oh, and cold water swimming is a turbo boost to the immune system.

Newuser991 · 25/11/2020 09:01

@Namechangedforthisoct2

Mind your own business!!! This is making people crazy, seriously read back your post! Go and find something else to stick your business in if you have that much spare time and emotional capacity.
I'd agree.

The level if detail in the post. People have nothing else to worry them ?!

Oly4 · 25/11/2020 09:13

Risk of transmission outdoors is tiny and the chlorine will kill the virus

Original poster
Coronapool · 25/11/2020 09:16

Thank you baroness, that's reassuring. :)
Raining bats no of course I wouldn't. I like them a lot. Just wanted to make sure.

Thank you all for replying :)

OP posts:
Norah8 · 25/11/2020 09:22

if the pool is chlorinated properly then I imagine being in the pool is v v safe

megletthesecond · 25/11/2020 09:25

I think outdoor pools are almost zero risk. You won't catch me in a restaurant or gym until next summer, but if we had an open air pool I'd be there in a shot.

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