COVID SUMMER
COVID SUMMER:
Use Sunscreen And Wear A Mask
Apple’s mobility tracker reveals
quarantine fatigue has set in.
The mobility trend reports
noted that travel decreased
across the country last month,
and now with the warmer weather, people
are anxious to get outdoors. Which is a
good idea. It is very rare for coronavirus to
transmit outdoors as long as you maintain
social distancing. A daily dose of sunlight
will not fend off or cure COVID-19.
However, there are numerous benefits such
as elevating mood, improved sleep quality,
and strengthening the body’s innate
immune system.
Fortunately, the coronavirus is enveloped,
meaning it is highly susceptible to
chlorination, which makes chlorine
and bleach effective at disinfecting
contaminated surfaces and water sources.
Swimming in chlorinated pools and using
chlorinated spas are safe, though worth
repeating, as long as you maintain social
distancing.
Unfortunately, the virus can remain
viable and infectious, at least temporarily,
in natural freshwater environments
including lakes and streams. While
dilution is suspected to keep the risk low,
high concentrations of viable coronavirus
could put recreation users at risk. There
is still no information on the ability of
the coronavirus virus to remain viable in
saltwater, so it is unclear if swimming in
saltwater elevates the risk of contracting
COVID-19. But as with freshwater,
dilution should keep the risk low.
Communal spread is still a serious issue
even outdoors. Spending time at popular
beaches in close contact with other
beachgoers will increase your risk.
IF YOU DO GO TO A PUBLIC
AREA, WEAR A MASK.
WHILE A MASK MAY NOT
PROTECT YOU FROM
OTHERS, IT WILL PROTECT
OTHERS FROM YOU. IT IS
WELL DOCUMENTED THAT
A PERSON INFECTED WITH
THE CORONAVIRUS CAN
BE ASYMPTOMATIC AND
CONTAGIOUS.
If you think exposing your body to UV
light will protect you from COVID-19,
remember this: melanoma skin cancer
is one of the most dangerous types of
skin cancer. Over 100,000 cases are
diagnosed every year in the United
States. If detected early and with proper
treatment, the survival rate is 94 percent.
However, despite this high rate of survival,
it is predicted there will still be over
7,000 deaths from melanoma in 2019.
Avoiding the sun at its strongest helps to
prevent skin damage. Also use a broadspectrum
sunscreen. Use at least an SPF
30 sunscreen, even on cloudy days. Apply
sunscreen generously, reapply it at least
every two hours, and wear protective
clothing—including a face mask.
So, are crowded beaches bumming you
out? Then consider building your own
backyard beach. This can be better than
the public beach. You can set up your grill
and not worry about refreshing adult
beverages in your cooler. Unlike public
beaches, you won’t get busted.
Your backyard beach can offer a spiritual
escape and the promise of better things
to come. Parking is free, and you won’t
get sand in your car. Except from the
50-pound bag of sand (a must-have) from
the hardware center. Make sure you get
the right sand. One bag of play sand
(about six bucks) should do. Though if
you have kids and they’d like an instant
sandbox, buy three or four. Be sure to
spread it so you can wiggle your toes in
it. Having white-noise surf sounds will
really improve the effect. Then add a
Springsteen or Jimmy Buffet playlist to put
you in cheeseburger paradise. If you invite
friends over, tell them to bring their mask,
a six foot pole, and a bag of sand.
So, use the proper precautions and enjoy
the summer. Having shortness of breath,
fever, and a sunburn would be a real
bummer. +
BY: ERIC P. WOKAS, CSP ARM
RISK CONTROL CONSULTANT
JGS INSURANCE
Eric Wokas has over 25 years of experience as a risk management consultant working for various
major property/casualty insurance carriers including Continental, Zurich and Gerling as well as
Aon an international insurance brokerage firm. At JGS Insurance Eric continues to assist clients
in development and implementation of practical solutions in reducing risk.
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