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Original poster

Are swimming classes safe?

95 replies

FeelingJittery1 · 23/08/2021 12:36

I’ve got to sign my daughter for the upcoming term/ the usual swimming classes were where one or both parents sit and watch the children in the pool- there are 60/70 people at a given point due to various classes

Is this now deemed safe?

OP posts:
museumum · 23/08/2021 18:28

I’d be surprised if there are no changes to the usual process to make it safer. We have no adults watching age 7+, kids go in via a door direct to poolside (arrive with suits on) and out only via changing rooms.
We are in Scotland and I know that England has fewer restrictions but surely activity providers still mitigate where they can?

Original poster
FeelingJittery1 · 23/08/2021 18:28

@CottageDwelling no I wasn’t like this. I have anxiety but not to this level

OP posts:
Original poster
FeelingJittery1 · 23/08/2021 18:30

@museumum I’m waiting for a response from the swimming school

OP posts:
Original poster
FeelingJittery1 · 23/08/2021 18:36

@shinynewapple21 it’s exactly like that, parents all packed quite close in a sports seating

OP posts:
Whathefisgoingon · 23/08/2021 18:50

I’m anxious about covid but my toddler has been having swimming classes for about 4 months with no issues so far. They are small classes though!

shinynewapple21 · 23/08/2021 20:45

I would probably wear a mask in that environment then OP

YeOldeTrout · 24/08/2021 07:37

Are you required to watch? We can stand outside instead. Did you just have a baby? Why did you wait until August to get 1st vacc? Why would you breathe on others if you have a mask on? What would "safe" mean to you?

10storeylovesong · 24/08/2021 08:44

I don't understand why you think it's inevitable you would catch it when the schools start again? DH and I have worked throughout the whole pandemic - police and NHS - with one child at school and one at nursery. We have socialised to the full extent within regulations, including crowded public transport, full capacity sports events, festivals and swimming lessons on and off throughout the lockdowns. None of us have caught it.

If you have only just had your vaccine, I'm guessing you are not CEV? In which case, the risk of not learning to swim probably outweighs the risk of the virus.

Original poster
FeelingJittery1 · 24/08/2021 09:04

@YeOldeTrout I’m waiting to find out from the swim school as to what the plans are- emailed yesterday morning but can understand they are busy

I took time to get the vaccine as I was very very nervous about it…I was all set to get the AZ when the blood clot news broke out which sent me into a spiral…it was very hard work to get me mentally prepared but I did it…

OP posts:
10storeylovesong · 24/08/2021 09:13

I understand that you are nervous - the campaign of fear over the last 18 months or so has really done its job on a lot of people and the mental health aspects of this are going to be around for a long time. But unless you are CEV the virus is unlikely to have any serious effects for you. You are not guaranteed to catch it in any case. For the sake of your children - and your mental health - you have to start aiming towards some semblance of normality again.

Our swimming lessons were very strict throughout - getting changed at the door, one parent per child, no showers or hairdryers to reduce touch points, designated seating 2 metres apart, masks. All that has now been dropped and its how it was. Be prepared that they may not offer any covid measures any more.

Original poster
FeelingJittery1 · 24/08/2021 09:17

@10storeylovesong I don’t know why I feel so doomed-my daughter catches everything going with 2 days of being in school that could be it, my dad is currently in icu in another country due to Covid-
He had a bi-pass two months back was waiting for the vaccine but between coming home and getting the vaccine he was not very careful, as in he was out and about more in a country which is currently in lockdown due to the cases…not saying that is the only reason but we just cannot fathom how this happened when my sis snd mom have been so careful around him

Sister snd mom are just out of a quarantine centre- so sitting miles away I’m worried sick and also trying to be extra cautious

I don’t know how protected I am with 1 dose of Pfizer until early Oct but I arm to be convinced that I’ll be the next one in the hospital

I’ve booked a call with the gp next week to have a chat as no one got back to me from IAPT services

OP posts:
Original poster
FeelingJittery1 · 24/08/2021 09:20

@10storeylovesong that is part of the problem - the swim school she flies to cancelled all classes and restarting just now. So we haven’t had a choice of going in in between - yes I’m not expecting them to carry on with Covid measures when it’s not required any longer

OP posts:
Wakeupin2022 · 24/08/2021 09:33

Our swimming lessons are completely back to normal.

They have been going for ages though and I have been watching youngest from poolside.

Life goes on. Swimming is a life skill. It's the one thing they don't get to say no to.

Howshouldibehave · 24/08/2021 09:37

As of next week, I could have my whole family at home very unwell with covid and I will still be teaching every class in our primary school every week-no masks, no bubbles, no social distancing, not even an email to tell the parents I could be a risk.

I’m sure it will all be fine…

Wakeupin2022 · 24/08/2021 09:53

@Howshouldibehave

As of next week, I could have my whole family at home very unwell with covid and I will still be teaching every class in our primary school every week-no masks, no bubbles, no social distancing, not even an email to tell the parents I could be a risk.

I’m sure it will all be fine…

Is term about to start again?

So we'll get lots of these posts, completely irrelevant to the thread......

Howshouldibehave · 24/08/2021 09:59

Is term about to start again?

Does the school year start in September? Yes. Every year.

Wakeupin2022 · 24/08/2021 10:03

Does the school year start in September? Yes. Every year

Well not everywhere............

Wakeupin2022 · 24/08/2021 10:04

Are primary too young for Rhetorical questions?

Bananarama21 · 24/08/2021 10:08

I'm surprised there 60 odd people there are they bringing full families? I'm a swimming teacher who used to teach in a school we had 4 teachers max 5 in a 20 metre pool with 6 kids in each class. The restrictions have eased it'd a case of the new norm unless we get told otherwise.

MargosKaftan · 24/08/2021 10:12

Indoor Swimming pools have to have good air circulation and ventilation to avoid damp issues. You might not see big open windows, but there will be good ventilation.

As for parents chatting /mingling - well that's a risk everywhere that happens. You can wear a mask, sit away from everyone else, hang back at drop off /pick up so you aren't pushing through the doors at the same time as someone else.

It might be worth seeing if you can get your 2nd jab early if that will make you happier.

Original poster
FeelingJittery1 · 24/08/2021 10:15

@MargosKaftan am I allowed to do that? The vaccine centre (hospital) I had my vaccine had a note pinned to the door second doses only after 8 weeks- am I allowed to get it after 21 days?

OP posts:
Original poster
FeelingJittery1 · 24/08/2021 10:16

@Howshouldibehave

As of next week, I could have my whole family at home very unwell with covid and I will still be teaching every class in our primary school every week-no masks, no bubbles, no social distancing, not even an email to tell the parents I could be a risk.

I’m sure it will all be fine…

This is pretty much the reason I’m convince I’m going to catch this in September- and end up in the hospital like my dad is
OP posts:
RobinPenguins · 24/08/2021 10:17

Wear a mask then? Or try a different pool, perhaps. Some still seem to have OTT measures in place like handing dripping wet children back to parents at the front door.

Nothing is completely safe but for me it’s worth taking a bit of a risk for my children to learn to swim, which is incredibly important to me.

MargosKaftan · 24/08/2021 10:19

Ask your GP, it is obviously affecting your mental health. It might be possible. Also worth looking if there are any drop in centres in your town doing 2nd jabs that will do it early. Think the ones near us would do a 2nd on the drop in centre after 28 days. Worth exploring if you are this panicky.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 24/08/2021 10:48

OP, I currently had Covid and I had only one dose of Pfizer when I caught it. I am fine, it's been like having a cold. I am on my last day of isolation and I've recovered apart from having no sense of taste and smell!

No one can tell you somewhere is "safe", it's up to you to decide. But you know your anxiety is irrational.