Precautions Allow Summer Fun

With no doubt, many students are eager for summer to bring an end to this bizarre school year. Summer means no school or responsibilities, just good times with friends and family. However, if it’s anything like this past year, this summer holiday will likely be different from those of the past, as we have not yet left this pandemic behind us. Even though Californians ages 12 and up can get the COVID-19 vaccination, that does not mean you can disregard masking and social distancing. That said, here are The Claw’s recommendations for safe summer activities.

The best way to beat the summer heat is a pool party. Swimming with a mask is a challenge though, which is why people without masks in the pool should stay more than 6 feet away from each other. Although this rules out a game of Marco Polo, it doesn’t mean there aren’t other fun pool games or a new way to play the game. If Marco Polo is a favorite water game, then instead of touching each other, have “Marco” spray the “Polos” with a water gun.

Any kind of summer gathering, while great, is even better when everyone in attendance has tested negative for COVID within the week.

Sophomore Hailey Benson enjoys swimming with others, and practices safely.

“When we are in the water, we stay in our designated lanes and try to maintain social distance with those lanes. There are two people on the near side of the lane and one person on the far side in order to accommodate more swimmers in a distanced manner,” Benson said.

Sleepovers are another great way to bond with friends. Being inside in sleeping bags layed next to each other, however, isn’t as safe. There are better alternatives, such as moving the slumber party outside. If those in attendance sleep in their own tents outdoors, it lowers the risk of COVID being spread. Friends can also view the stars as they fall asleep, plus the summer weather will keep everyone warm at night.

Summer beach days are another fan-favorite. Attendees can sit on their own blankets basking in the sun, eating from their own picnic baskets, or swimming in the ocean 6 feet apart.

Junior Selina Lee recommends going to the beach with a smaller group of trusted friends for safety.

“When I go with my friends to the beach, we usually bring our own food or one person packs food and we picnic at the beach. Some people choose to swim and some usually just lay there and relax. At the end, we usually just talk or play spikeball,” said Lee.

Lee added, “It’s always safer to come in separate cars [to the beach] but if that’s not an option, many people also choose to keep their masks on while in cars. Make sure to keep your mask on while walking near people or strangers on the beach and try to stay socially distanced with your friends with or without masks…Swimming usually happens when people are not super close anyways.”

Another fun activity to get exercise and spend time with friends is going on hikes. If all attendees wear masks, on the trail they can safely be just 3 feet apart. If everyone is fully vaccinated, they can even take their masks off, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We can still have an amazing social summer, but if we want to have another next year, we need to make sure we stay safe while having fun.