Health Insurance and Community in America: COVID-19 Beach Safety

With the summer in full swing and the pending holiday weekend, I wanted to share a few guidelines from the CDC about how to visit the beach responsibly in the age of COVID-19. Use this list as a starting point to keeping yourself and others healthy and safe.

Remember, the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mostly person to person, by respiratory droplets released when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. Another person can become infected if the droplets land in his or her mouth or nose and possibly if the droplets are inhaled into the lungs. The virus might also spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose, mouth, or possibly eyes. Infected people can spread the virus whether or not they have symptoms. Evidence suggests that COVID-19 cannot be spread to humans through most recreational water.

Fortunately, there are several actions you can take to help lower the risk of transmission of the virus at the beach.

Stay home if you might be sick. First and foremost, stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are waiting for COVID-19 test results. If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days, stay home and monitor your health.

Practice Social Distancing. Visit beaches close to your home so you are less likely to need to stop along the way while traveling. Carpool or vanpool only with people in your own household. Stay at least six feet away from people who you don’t live with, on shore and in the water. Avoid crowded swim areas and beaches where distancing might not be possible. Lifeguards on duty will still rescue distressed swimmers, provide first aid, or perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when necessary.

Use Cloth Face Coverings. As you know, cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case you are unknowingly infected and do not have symptoms. It’s most important to wear them when social distancing is difficult. Plus, they can help protect your face from harmful UV rays. The CDC advises that you do not wear them in the water, because they can be difficult to breathe through when they’re wet (making it particularly important to maintain social distancing in the water). Bring some spares, in case any get wet. Children younger than two years old should not wear cloth face coverings, nor should other people who are unable to remove the cover without assistance.

Hand Hygiene. Take advantage of any portable handwashing stations and periodically wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, adults and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer should use one that contains at least 60% alcohol. But watch out - hand sanitizers might not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, so wiping sand or sunscreen off before application might be helpful. Reapply sunscreen after hands are dry.

Beach Toys and Gear. Bring enough for everyone. Items that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect or that are meant to come in contact with the face (such as goggles, nose clips, and snorkels) should not be shared. Don’t share food, equipment, toys, and supplies with people who you don’t live with.

Follow Beach Safety Rules and Guidelines. Finally, listen to local health officials, beach managers, lifeguards, and staff and comply with all beach safety guidelines (COVID-19 and otherwise). Review any posted signs and listen to any announcements broadcast by PA or megaphone. Contact the beach in advance of your visit to make sure they are open and ask what steps they are taking to prevent the spread of the virus. If you need more information, ask to be put in contact with the beach staff member responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns.