Do you think the YMCA pool is safe for lap swimming?

[Dawson Leery]

[Tommy_Carcetti]

1. Depends on the facility.

If they are keeping lanes apart, properly socially distancing, and keeping the pool properly chloronated, you are probably okay. Probably.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. I'd Be More Concerned About...

...the locker rooms than the pool. The pool is likely not a huge concern, for the reasons you stated.
But, distancing in a locker room with people still in cool down, could be an issue.

[hlthe2b]

2. You can buy pool chlorine strips relatively cheaply to see if levels are 1ppm as recommended

for pools. Hot tubs/spas are supposed to be maintained at 3ppm. You can also call your local health department (usually the environmental health/inspection division) to see if they are regularly inspecting.

[ooky]

4. I'd be concerned about any Covid in the air, especially inside pools.

The chlorine content kills it in the water. But if there is heavy use I would still steer clear.

[Voltaire2]

5. indoors is a bigger risk than outdoors

Start from "nothing is safe". Then start estimating relative risk of every social interaction. Social distancing and masks make public spaces safer, not 'safe'. Outdoors without a mask is safer than indoors without a mask.

[Maru Kitteh]

6. Not if it's indoors.

And, is it purely for swimming laps? Is that observed by all?

Is it crowded with lots of people hanging around the pool?

[Dawson Leery]

9. Indoor and for lap swim only.

5 lanes with one person in each lane.

[RazzleCat]

7. define your safety concern, and what type of pool

I have a pool. If it is a standard public pool, then the water will be "safe". What I am saying is if it receives constant monitoring and chlorination as a public pool should receive per law, then yes. Keep in mind chlorine is a bleach. Even if the pool is a salt pool, it is still chlorinated. Per my SO the one who takes care of ours, the salt is converted to chlorine it is just easier on the eyes, and its automated at the pump, so no work excluding adding in the salt every few weeks.

If your concern is airborne, what are the current regulations and lane widths? Also is it an inside or outside pool? If outside, every other lane and standard public pool chlorination routine, yes its fine. If its inside or every lane in use at once, I would worry about the very humid air holding any airborne particles in concentration. I have no idea about Covid and water, but again if the pool has good chlorination (aka water bleach), the water should not be an issue. So check it out, if you have used it in the past, and it was well taken care of (aka smelled like chlorine when you walled in, a good thing at public pools), and it does not suffer as many indoor pools do of extreme humidity (you know water dripping from the ceiling and walls), I would consider it a "safe" activity.

More thoughts, duh if you are immune compromised then no, but not because pool, but because you can't swim and wear a mask, unless you go full scuba suit.

[underpants]

8. Ours were doing it by appointment

I think they were skipping lanes. The die hard s who swim in the front cold water pool have had 5 people in a lane.

I got to the back, warm pool with the old people.

[NameAlreadyTaken]

10. My YMCA is now requiring a reservation, and

if you don't show up for your reserved time slot, they charge you $10. You have to reserve a 30 or 45 minute time slot, whether it is for lap swimming, or just playing and splashing around with your family. The pool is outdoors (well, one of them is), and you must wear a mask, except for while you're actually in the water. No word yet on the indoor pool or the large indoor jacuzzi. This is in San Diego, which is usually sunny, so I would feel safe in the outdoor pool. But what a giant pain in the ass it is going to be from now on.

[Dawson Leery]

11. kick