Is it safe to go to the beach in a pandemic? What you should know

by

Editor’s note – As the pandemic continues, CNN does not recommend people to do these activities. But if you want, there are ways to mitigate the risks. Of course, fully vaccinated people have a much lower risk of contracting and spreading coronavirus than people who have not been vaccinated. CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen advises you to approach your business decisions with this in mind.

(CNN) – With summer just around the corner and more people receiving Covid-19 vaccines, you may be wondering if going to the beach is a safe bet.

Even for people who have been completely vaccinated, “nothing will be 100% safe, just as nothing will be 100% risky,” said CNN medical analyst Dr. Management at the University’s Milken School of Public Health. George Washington. However, the beaches “are much safer than other settings because they are outdoors”.

Pictured is St. Kilda Beach in Dunedin, New Zealand. As the world slowly reopens, visiting the beaches can be safer than traveling to inland destinations.

In the picture is the beach St. Kilda of Dunedin, New Zealand. As the world slowly reopens, visiting the beaches can be safer than traveling to inland destinations.

Shutterstock

“We haven’t seen that (coronavirus) can be spread in water,” said Dr. Ada Stewart, a family physician at Cooperative Health in Columbia, South Carolina, and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Whether you are alone at the beach or with your family or friends completely vaccinated, Stewart added, what helps you reduce your risk is to have your own area to relax.

Always check local government, public health office and beach regulations in advance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended. Beach administrators may request reservations or limited capacity. Also, plan to “swim ready” by taking a shower and changing at home first.
For times when you may need to be closer to people – such as when visiting the toilet or dealership – wear a mask, wear hand sanitizer, and wash your hands. The CDC advised beach administrators to make sure there is enough equipment – such as chairs and other consumables – for visitors and that everything is cleaned regularly. However, bringing hand sanitizer and spray or sanitizing wipes would be helpful for cleaning the equipment.
If you have to take a shower or rinse on the beach, try to physically distance yourself from others or enter when the area is not crowded. Bring an extra mask if your first mask gets wet; according to the CDC, a wet mask is less effective. And do not wear your mask in water, as a wet mask can make breathing difficult.

Stay away – on land and in the water – from people who do not live with you. Avoid congestion and poorly ventilated interior areas.

Coronavirus usually spreads through respiratory drops during close physical contact, so Wen is more concerned “about what happens if people leave the beach and go to the bar.” Even though people are far away in places like indoor bars and restaurants, wearing a mask is still best if you might share air.

For long beach getaways, plan in advance what refreshments, meals and drinks you will enjoy – and where and how you will enjoy them – while you are there. Outdoor restaurants and bars are ideal, Wen said.

.Source