The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The beach is open. But you ask: Should I go?
As summer returns, most municipalities have reopened their beaches.
For those concerned about their safety during the coronavirus pandemic, the current consensus is that socially distant outdoor activities are some of the safer ways to reengage with the world.
“Outdoor settings, like beaches, are less likely to spread the virus than indoor settings,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security.
Linsey Marr, an engineering professor at Virginia Tech who specializes in the airborne transmission of infectious diseases, agrees that a beach visit should be fine — as long as you are able to maintain social distancing.
“The good news is that the virus dies off relatively quickly in direct sunlight,” she said. “There’s often some wind at the beach, which really helps disperse the virus particles in the air.”
But no activity is going to be completely risk-free.
“The steps you take are not going to be one-size-fits-all; it depends on your individual risk tolerance,” said Adalja.
Here are some things to keep in mind when planning a beach day.
Getting there: Read up on local rules and regulations
Like most things in the time of COVID-19, rules governing beach access, use and safety change frequently and likely differ depending on your state, city and even your beach.
“We’re in a very dynamic place right now in terms of beach access,” said Dr. Chad Nelsen, chief executive officer of Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has been compiling resources and providing recommendations regarding water quality and beach safety with regards to COVID-19. The group also works with coastal communities on opening beaches safely.
Start by learning the regulations of your area and your beach by accessing government websites for your city or county. And consider how far along your local area is in terms of reopening.
“If your community is still in active mitigation mode, plan on being extra cautious,” said Kristine Stratton, president and chief executive officer of the National Recreation and Park Association, a nonprofit organization that recently published guidelines for phased reopenings of public spaces, including beaches.
Consider your day, and your beach’s geography
The varied regulations are because of the diversity of beaches across the United States and the likelihood of crowds.
“Local context matters,” Nelsen said. “The U.S. coastline is hugely varied in terms of its geography and population. You could go up to Oregon, or Northern California, and be at a beach all day alone. Urban beaches in Southern California or Miami are a different story.”
Densely crowded beaches make maintaining 6 feet of distance more difficult, and increase the likelihood of more sustained exposure to the virus. You may need to navigate a crowded parking lot, or take a narrow path or stairway to access the sand.
“Make an informed judgment: ‘Does it seem like the beach is on the busy side?’” Stratton said. “If you’re pulling up to a beach and the parking lot is full, our recommendation is that you find a less-populated spot.”
Safety at the shore: Stay moving or stay far away
Keeping your hands clean, avoiding touching your face and, of course, maintaining at least 6 feet of social distance are as paramount at the beach as they are anywhere else.
“If it’s a crowded beach with people playing games, or parties mixing with other parties, there is always a risk of transmission,” said Adalja. “There will be people who think that risk is acceptable, others who don’t, especially at at-risk populations.”
Surfrider’s current recommendations encourage beachgoers to “keep it moving.” The NRPA similarly recommends that, in these early days of reopening, it’s safer to plan on shorter, recreation driven visits.
“If you’re out swimming or paddling, walking or running, it’s going to be easier to avoid the packed towel-to-towel beach crowd,” Nelsen said.
Adalja agrees that being on the move is, overall, a safer proposition: “If people are running by each other, the virus can’t magically transport from one person to another,” he said, noting that the highest risk for exposure comes from spending anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes within 6 feet of another person.
Enjoy your swim and your own beach gear
While much about transmissibility of the coronavirus remains unclear, waterborne transmission appears to be less likely.
As for other surfaces you might encounter at the beach, such as rental beach chairs and kayaks, or even beach toys, Stratton urges caution in all regards.
And take your garbage home too. Single-use plastics have been on the rise, and beaches are taking the hit — after some in Florida reopened, nearly 12,000 pounds of trash were left behind according to news reports. But pandemics don’t render environmental concerns irrelevant. If there is no trash collection or it appears to be overwhelmed, take your trash home with you to dispose of accordingly.
“Our municipalities are going to be incredibly challenged from a budget perspective,” Stratton said. “Rather than leave trash in receptacles that are overflowing, do your part and carry it out.”
About those restrooms …
Public restrooms are a tough topic these days. They have high-touch, frequently shared surfaces, and some reports also cite a possibility of transmission via an aerosolized “toilet plume.”
Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for public restrooms include guidelines for regular cleaning and disinfection, operational toilets and well-stocked handwashing supplies. But beachgoers should check out facilities when they first arrive, to see if restrooms are clean and can allow for social distancing.
“We, of course, are recommending that municipalities and parks and recreation maintain facilities, but beachgoers should not assume that that’s the case,” Stratton of the NRPA said.
It’s always wise to bring hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, wear a mask, close the lid of the toilet when you flush, if possible, and thoroughly wash your hands.
The safest course: Keep your beach visit short enough that using public restrooms won’t be necessary — use the bathroom, and change into your swimsuit, before you leave home.