The State of North Carolina may be opening up when it comes to many things, but there are still a lot of future events that the pandemic is preventing or delaying – and the opening of the pools run by Guilford County is one of those things.
On Tuesday, May 19, Guilford County announced that the aquatic centers at the county’s parks “will remain closed until further notice due to Covid-19.”
In years that don’t include a worldwide pandemic, the pools and other water attractions at the county’s parks generally open on Memorial Day and stay open through Labor Day. The county’s May 19 announcement came six days before Memorial Day Monday, May 25. County officials say they are keeping an eye on the situation and they will keep the public informed.
County staff at Bur-Mil Park, Hagan-Stone Park and Northeast Park are said to be working closely with county health officials – and are frequently checking the guidance from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) – in order to determine when the county-run pools can be opened safely.
“Things continue to change very quickly,” said Guilford County Parks Division Director Christopher Horrigan on Tuesday. “We hope to be able to reopen as soon as it is recommended. In the meantime, the Parks Department is working on having our operation plans ready to go to open facilities in a manner that is safe for the community and our employees.”
The good news is that Guilford County’s parks, trails and open spaces will remain open to the public – albeit with modified hours and a limited set of available amenities.
County staff is, of course, continuing to encourage all parks’ visitors to practice social distancing guidelines and engage in other practices that reduce the spread of COVID-19. For instance, it is not a good idea to hug strangers one comes across while hiking a park trail.
As a young man, I went to public & club pools a lot – mainly to check out the girls. At that time (don’t ask me when), you could actually swim at Hamilton Lakes. Checking out the men & women probably is still a prime motivator.
My point is what with all the germs and virus, and some unwashed people; and people relieving themselves in the pool, I am surprised that I wasn’t killed. I did pick up a case of Scarlet Fever. That made me very unpopular inas much as everyone at the pool that day were requested to come in for a vaccine. I was quarantined for two weeks. You wouldn’t catch in any pool now.
That’s like saying that you got into a car crash once and now you will never get into a car again because of it.
Analogy doesn’t work. I made reference to the fact that I am well into senior-hood, at higher risk of illnesses of all types. Unwashed, diseased, and inconsiderate people in a public pool is a fact.
This is foolish. US CDC just revised there info to indicate that the Chinese corona virus does not pose much of a risk of being transmitted via contact surfaces. Then, pools, by design, kill all pathogens as they are chlorinated for that very purpose.
Where could be safer than in an environment soaked by weak bleach?
Just another false narrative.
I believe not opening the pools is detrimental to the kids. Kids have already had to deal with school changes and being away from their friends. Summer is what they live for and in essence, you’re taking that away from them also! Depression is going to take over in these children, they need some normalcy in their lives right now. Open the pools and let them enjoy their summer!!!!
Has hugging strangers one comes across on the hiking path really been a problem? 😉