The news has been buzzing with reports that Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has been swimming in the Senate pool in spite of his recent diagnosis with COVID-19. The highly contagious respiratory virus has killed thousands and has caused much of the country to declare states of emergency in order to contain its spread and “flatten the curve.” However, it seems like a growing number of people have begun to ignore these rules.
After Rand Paul’s costly mistake, many senators are now seeking the advice of medical professionals to hopefully stop this virus from spreading. In fact, now the act of self-quarantine is on the table for many senators.
The CDC has noted that there has been no evidence to support COVID-19 spreading through treated pools or hot tubs, which is vital given that swimming is the most popular activity for children. However, coronavirus has been proven to stay on surfaces and in the air for extended periods of time, making any enclosed space a possible vector for the virus to be spread.
So far, no reports have been made regarding the actions of Sen. Rand Paul. But closing pools out of fear of the coronavirus has quickly become the norm in many areas to prevent problems like this from happening in the first place.
New York state has the highest number of positive coronavirus cases in the country, in part, because of the extensive testing being performed. With numbers now cresting 30,000 across the state, New York’s state of emergency and social distancing policy is more important than ever. Gyms have been closed and restaurants are only offering takeout options. Swimming in public places, including hotels, has been forbidden to limit the spread of the virus.
Even residential buildings in New York City have begun quarantining play rooms, pools, and gyms in light of the recent uptick in coronavirus cases throughout the state.
While this might not seem like a big deal to some, these amenities are often what give New York City properties their edge over the competition. Now, property managers and real estate investors are even considering laying off staff members to help stop the virus from spreading. These decisions have the potential to affect more than eight million people who stay in residential buildings in NYC.
This controversial decision is in the best interest of stopping this virus, but as more major companies ask that their employees work from home, such lounges are becoming more needed than ever. It’s a give and take when it comes to living in quarantine. Remembering that this is temporary will be the best way to get through the coming weeks as more sacrifices will be made.
