Summer safety strategies on account of Covid-19

Summer is just across the corner and it can be unlike any we’ve experienced before. We’ve all been staying at home, and plenty of of us are looking forward to warmer weather and great outdoors. However, we must keep in mind that we’re still within the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As stay-at-home orders are lifted and parks and recreation facilities slowly reopen, many states are seeing a rise in recent cases. Here are some suggestions for staying protected this summer, but remember to check along with your local and state public health departments for guidance specific to your area.

• It may be very vital to practice social distancing, stay at the very least 6 feet away from people outside your household, and avoid people who find themselves sick.
• If social distancing can’t be maintained, a cloth face covering must be worn. Check along with your local public health department for specific guidelines. Masks must be worn over:
  • Babies and kids under 2 years of age
  • Any person having difficulty respiration or who’s unconscious
  • People with disabilities or otherwise unable to remove their face mask without assistance
• Continue to clean your hands often with soap and water for at the very least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer (containing 60% alcohol) and rub your hands until they’re dry.
• Follow the principles of fine manners: cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, immediately throw your mouth into the trash can and wash your hands.
• Whenever possible, clean and disinfect often touched surfaces between uses.

• CDC (2020b) encourages people to make use of parks, trails and open spaces in accordance with general COVID-19 guidelines. Most facilities similar to sports fields, skate parks, basketball courts, tennis courts and picnic areas may be managed locally. County, city or state governments, apartment complexes, and homeowner’s associations must be consulted regarding closures.
• Plan to go to parks outside of opening hours once they are less crowded.
• Playgrounds must be avoided unless equipment may be cleaned and disinfected frequently and fogeys are in a position to monitor children and maintain social distancing.

• Hold smaller gatherings with people who find themselves following social distancing guidelines.
• Prioritize outdoor entertainment, not indoors.
• The larger the gathering and the longer the event lasts, the greater the danger of spreading COVID-19 (CDC, 2020b).
• Host a potluck – avoid sharing by bringing your personal food, drinks, plates and utensils.

• Cycling, walking, running, and mountain climbing are generally protected activities and great in your mental health.
• Wear a face mask if you happen to end up in a situation where you can not avoid close contact with other people.

The CDC (2020c) provided guidance on sports programs for youth. Here are a number of the highlights.

• Avoid sports that require physical contact, similar to basketball, soccer, football, or wrestling. Instead, deal with developing individual skills.
• Tennis, golf and frisbee are examples of safer options.
• Disinfect equipment between uses.
• Avoid games and competitions where social distancing can’t be maintained.
• Limit non-essential guests and spectators at any time when possible.
• Identify small groups and keep them together in cohorts.

• According to CDC (2020d)There is not any evidence that the brand new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) may be spread through water in swimming pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds. Proper maintenance and disinfection with chlorine or bromine should defeat the virus.
• Beaches will also be a protected option so long as you maintain social distancing; go during off-peak hours when there are fewer people.
• Be careful when using public toilets.
• Water safety should remain a priority – never leave babies unattended within the water. Check out these water safety suggestions from American Red Cross (2020).

• Keep small groups of campers together throughout the day in cohorts; group campers from the identical geographic area (e.g. city, town, county, community).
• Please ensure campers stay at the very least 6 feet apart and don’t share items.
• Give priority to outdoor activities.
• CDC (2020e) provides strategies to maintain children protected summer camp programs for youth.

• If you might be vacationing with one other family and sharing a rental home, ensure you’ve gotten limited contact with other people and brought extra precautions within the two weeks leading as much as your stay. Clean all surfaces in the house upon arrival.
• If you might be staying at a hotel, limit your time in common areas similar to the lobby, gym, restaurant and elevators; disinfect TV remotes and customary areas.
• Camping may be very protected if you happen to are in a secluded area with members of your household; if you happen to are going with friends, ensure everyone maintains social distancing guidelines; avoid high-risk areas similar to crowded campgrounds with shared restrooms and communal picnic areas.

As all the time, remember to use sunscreen frequently when you find yourself outdoors, drink loads of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration, use insect repellent to stop insect bites, and wear a helmet once you enjoy wheeled activities. When we alter our routines, it’s an incredible time to find a novel hobby, learn a special language, discover a brand new instrument, plant a garden, create art, read a book, construct something, or simply calm down and luxuriate in a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day. Modifying your behavior and making smart selections will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 within the months ahead.

American Red Cross. (2020). As summer begins, the Red Cross shares ways to remain protected amid the Covid-19 pandemic. https://www.redcross.org/local/south-carolina/about-us/news-and-events/press-releases/safety-latem-w-srodku-covid19.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020a). How to guard yourself and others. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020b). Tips for administrators of parks and recreation facilities. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/park-administrators.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020c). Reflections on youth sports. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020d). Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19 and Water. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fphp%2Fwater.html#COVID-19- and water

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020e). Proposals for youth and summer camps. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/summer-camps.html

National Public Radio (2020). From camping to dinner: Here’s how experts assess the risks of 14-year-old activities. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/05/23/861325631/from-camping-to-dining-out-how-experts-rate-the-risks-of-14-summer- activit