“Don’t take life for granted and don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler or better. Life will always be complicated at one time or another. Learn to be happy right now…Otherwise, you will run out of time."
What a welcomed relief to swim again and see some familiar faces. I will never take this for granted again.
As summer begins, the pandemic-related restrictions regarding the safe operation of swimming pools are beginning to ease. In some locations like the Bay Club Courtside in the heart of Silicon Valley where I am a member, got the green light to open up their outdoor pools. Until a vaccine is found, our club management is doing everything they can to create a safe environment for its’ members.
Thanks to the Bay Club App, you can schedule the time to use the pool. You need to wear a mask when you enter the club. You need to have a screenshot of your signed waiver of liability. Your temperature is scanned by a staff member. You place your barcode in front of the scanner to identify your membership. The front desk has a plexiglass shield from end to end that separates you from the friendly staff who must also wear face masks. You pick your towels, then proceed to the Adult lap pool and an attendant will ask your name and give you a lane to swim in. There is one chaise lounge per lane with plenty of physical distancing from other members. Only one person can swim in a lane. It was a pleasant experience. After your half-hour or hour is up, you have the option to wait until you get home to shower or you can use one of five cabanas across from the family pool which essentially are individual bathrooms and showers. There are attendants that are on standby to disinfect the rooms before they can be used by other members.
The good news is that scientific evidence shows that the virus is susceptible to the disinfecting power of chlorine as long as the pool chemicals are properly maintained. Other agents such as bromine and ozone, are also believed to render the coronavirus harmless. When it comes to spreading the virus, the water isn’t the issue.
Though the Centers for Disease Control have relaxed their restrictions for pool usage, the same personal hygiene etiquette is encouraged. They include hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, continue social distancing, and avoiding conversing at the end of the lane, or in common areas, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and shared objects (i.e., blow dryers) in the grooming area of the cabanas. The locker rooms are not available for usage at this time.
Thanks to the Bay Club management for creating flexible, adjusted payment of dues for the last few months while the Club had to shut down and for providing easy access to online exercise classes and keeping members informed on its website.
Postscript: My friend and biking buddy Bill Rothenberg in the last lane just happened to come on standby and was able to gain access to the pool after someone didn't show up.
