5 things to know before going to the pool this summer

"The chances [of that happening] are fairly low, regardless, because you are outside,” says NACCHO's Tremmel Freeman. “They're not zero, you know, but they are low.” 4. BE

PREPARED TO SKIP THE SHOWER Pools may limit the number of people allowed in indoor shared spaces like locker rooms, so the easiest thing to do is come prepared, says Allison Colman, director

of health at the National Recreation and Park Association, which has helped parks and recreation agencies throughout the U.S. implement COVID-19 guidance and safety protocols. "Come

showered, come dressed and ready to get in the pool, and try to avoid indoor congregation as much as possible,” she adds. “It's been pretty clear that the risk of outdoor activities is

significantly lower than indoor spaces just primarily due to poor ventilation, so [pools] are really trying to [keep people] outside as much as possible." 5. YOU SHOULD DISINFECT

STRATEGICALLY Packing your own sanitizers and disinfectant wipes to scrub tables and chairs before you sit down “is probably a little bit much,” Petrie says, especially since the lifeguards

and pool staff will likely be cleaning the facility more regularly than before the pandemic — again, per federal guidance. What's more, we now know the risk of getting infected from a

surface is very low — generally less than 1 in 10,000, the CDC says. But it's still smart to practice good hand hygiene. Wash with soap and water often, Petrie says, especially before

you eat. If handwashing stations aren't available outside and indoor locker rooms and restrooms are too crowded, use hand sanitizer instead. Another tip to make your trip to the pool go

safely and smoothly: bring your own equipment — goggles, kickboards and toys, for example, as well as spatulas and tongs if you plan to grill. Not only will this avoid sharing germs with

others, it will also make it easier on the staff tasked with cleaning shared objects that belong to the pool in between uses, Colman says. GETTING VACCINATED CAN MAKE FOR A SAFER SUMMER The

simplest way to ensure your safety this summer is to get a COVID-19 vaccine if you haven't already, says Joshua Petrie, a research assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology

at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Three different vaccines have been authorized in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration: two-dose regimens from both Moderna and

Pfizer-BioNTech and a single-shot vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about which is best for you. _Rachel Nania writes about health

care and health policy for AARP. Previously she was a reporter and editor for WTOP Radio in Washington, D.C. A recipient of a Gracie Award and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, she also

participated in a dementia fellowship with the National Press Foundation._