Protecting Yourself and Others at the Beach during the Pandemic

During a pandemic, we need to think carefully about our decisions and actions in ways that are not important during normal times. We need to ultimately make decisions and take actions that will keep ourselves, our families, friends, neighbors, employees, clients, patients, constiuencies and others that we are responsible for healthy and well.  

Under normal times, going to the beach is generally a healthy and happy experience, other socializing with others.  Unfortunately, we are now in a pandemic driven by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is infecting, creating illness including severe illness and premature death amongst the most vulnerable among us within our communities and society.  

This group will provide you with some information that may be useful to you in deciding when and where to visit the beach to have a good time and enjoy nature.  

When going to the beach:

- Wear a mask when you are within 15 feet of others, not just to keep yourself and others safe, but also to make others feel that they safe around you.

- Observe proper social distancing to reduce the chance of passing on the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  

- Avoid groups that are not observing social distancing rules, especially when they are not wearing masks.

- Take all the normal precautions regarding protecting yourself from the damaging impacts of overexposure to the sun on your skin, eyes, and hydration levels.

- Take care when entering the water, understanding your skill levels in the water.

- Consider carefully the wave, riptide, and weather conditions when entering the water, especially when we or those under our care have marginal swimming skills or experience with ocean conditions. 

Being socially connected to others in nature is one of the reasons we come to the beach in normal times.  Unfortunately, this could be a serious mistake during a pandemic in facilitating the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus between people.  If there are too many people on the beach, and you can not maintain adequate social distance, avoid that beach and seek another place to enjoy the day. 

In East Hamptom, the Town Board has decided to open the beaches to town residents and their guests with modest restrictions.  In other areas before reopening public spaces and businesses, such as in Hawaii and California, beach facilities including bathrooms have been closed to keep the public safe.  It is OK to go swimming if maintaining social distance.  It is OK to walk on the beaches, but lying down on the beach is prohibited to reduce the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

Again, we are still essentially at the first peak of Phase I of a serious pandemic, please err on the side of safety for yourself and others. Another resurgence of COVID-19 is likely if we do not take precautions to avoid infection and transmitting the virus to others. No matter what we are told by others, including those considered to be leaders within all levels of government, please err on the side of caution.