10.03.2020 / 9:21am
The indoor swimming pool is not a place of virus growth! ........
......... for one very simple reason. Viruses (including the Corana virus, i.e. Covid 19) cannot multiply independently. Not like bacteria do by cell division. Viruses need a host, whose cells they attack and then change. Therefore, viruses adhering to any surface in the environment are no problem concerning reproduction! The problem lies in the absorption of the viruses and the contact with the mucous membranes. The climate, warm and humid, which is favourable for bacteria, has no negative effects on Covid 19.
Once again:
The indoor swimming pool as a whole, and especially in the pool water, is an environment where infection with the Covid 19 is significantly reduced compared to other public spaces. (For explanation see previous articles)
Robert Müller
Geschäftsführer Zollicuda GmbH
und
Eid. Dipl. Sportlehrer ETH am ZAG
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Once again:
The indoor swimming pool as a whole, and especially in the pool water, is an environment where infection with the Covid 19 is significantly reduced compared to other public spaces. (For explanation see previous articles)
Robert Müller
Geschäftsführer Zollicuda GmbH
und
Eid. Dipl. Sportlehrer ETH am ZAG
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
05.03.2020/ 1.33pm
When does it make sense to stop swimming lessons with Zollicuda?
Due to the facts already described (see below), discontinuing swimming lessons with Zollicuda is not necessary now.
The children have only a limited contact with other persons during swimming lessons. This contact takes place, if at all, in disinfected water. Teachers are required to strictly follow the FOPH's instructions outside the water. In doing so, they can show initiative and search for individual solutions.
Our teachers will adapt the lessons to ensure that physical contact is kept to a minimum. In addition, your children will be under the observation and protection of our teachers and, in most cases, you as their parents. Thus, the children's behaviour can be monitored and assessed very precisely, which is difficult or impossible at school (during break) or on the way to school.
Once again I would like to emphasize, that I as a sports teacher at the Centre for Health Education (ZAG) I teach physical education to students who work in a highly sensitive area; such as hospitals, old people's homes and nursing homes. People who perspire, touch the same things during sports (equipment, balls, etc.) and have direct physical contact with others, have a much higher risk of transmission than in our during our swimming lessons.
With this connection with in mind, Zollicuda has a direct line to a comprehensive and very clarified risk assessment of the Secondary School and Vocational Training Office (MBA), the Health Directorate (GD) of the Canton of Zurich and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). After consultation with these authorities, regular classes (including sports) will be continued by the ZAG until further notice.
Summarised, the following can be said: As long as not only the elementary school but also the lessons with people working in the highly sensitive health care system are continued, there is no reason to stop swimming lessons with Zollicuda.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
The children have only a limited contact with other persons during swimming lessons. This contact takes place, if at all, in disinfected water. Teachers are required to strictly follow the FOPH's instructions outside the water. In doing so, they can show initiative and search for individual solutions.
Our teachers will adapt the lessons to ensure that physical contact is kept to a minimum. In addition, your children will be under the observation and protection of our teachers and, in most cases, you as their parents. Thus, the children's behaviour can be monitored and assessed very precisely, which is difficult or impossible at school (during break) or on the way to school.
Once again I would like to emphasize, that I as a sports teacher at the Centre for Health Education (ZAG) I teach physical education to students who work in a highly sensitive area; such as hospitals, old people's homes and nursing homes. People who perspire, touch the same things during sports (equipment, balls, etc.) and have direct physical contact with others, have a much higher risk of transmission than in our during our swimming lessons.
With this connection with in mind, Zollicuda has a direct line to a comprehensive and very clarified risk assessment of the Secondary School and Vocational Training Office (MBA), the Health Directorate (GD) of the Canton of Zurich and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). After consultation with these authorities, regular classes (including sports) will be continued by the ZAG until further notice.
Summarised, the following can be said: As long as not only the elementary school but also the lessons with people working in the highly sensitive health care system are continued, there is no reason to stop swimming lessons with Zollicuda.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
04.03.2020 / 1:02pm
Hand hygiene
Corrigendum
Yesterday we apparently based ourselves on false information. According to Enea Martinelli, chief pharmacist at FMI AG (Interlaken and others), experts assume that the coronavirus survives outside the body, i.e. on surfaces, for between 4 and 9 days. Detailed studies are not available.
However, since the corona virus is related to the SARS virus, a similar time period is assumed during which the virus is contagious on surfaces outside the body.
In the indoor swimming pool, the surfaces are therefore disinfected correctly, even without corona virus, regularly and wherever water comes out of the pool on surfaces, disinfection by the chlorine also works.
Disinfection versus hand washing
Since the coronavirus is a virus that is "enveloped", i.e. surrounded by a layer of fat, it is sufficient to destroy this fat layer. Soap is sufficient for this.
The stronger the disinfectant is, the more skin layers are destroyed, the more the skin is affected, so that in the end a transmission could also occur via the defective skin.
Therefore: Where possible wash your hands! Only if a washing facility is missing or if there is no time for it (e.g. of the employees in the health service) a disinfection is appropriate
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Yesterday we apparently based ourselves on false information. According to Enea Martinelli, chief pharmacist at FMI AG (Interlaken and others), experts assume that the coronavirus survives outside the body, i.e. on surfaces, for between 4 and 9 days. Detailed studies are not available.
However, since the corona virus is related to the SARS virus, a similar time period is assumed during which the virus is contagious on surfaces outside the body.
In the indoor swimming pool, the surfaces are therefore disinfected correctly, even without corona virus, regularly and wherever water comes out of the pool on surfaces, disinfection by the chlorine also works.
Disinfection versus hand washing
Since the coronavirus is a virus that is "enveloped", i.e. surrounded by a layer of fat, it is sufficient to destroy this fat layer. Soap is sufficient for this.
The stronger the disinfectant is, the more skin layers are destroyed, the more the skin is affected, so that in the end a transmission could also occur via the defective skin.
Therefore: Where possible wash your hands! Only if a washing facility is missing or if there is no time for it (e.g. of the employees in the health service) a disinfection is appropriate
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
03.03.2020 / 1.32pm
Indirect risk of infection
Currently there is a lot of talk about how long viruses can survive outside the body on surfaces and are therefore contagious. A time span that is mentioned repeatedly can last up to a few hours.
Indirect danger of infection via the bath water
According to a meeting with a cantonal water inspector of the Canton of Zurich on 2.3.2020, the pool water is subjected to a test in which 99.999% of the viruses and bacteria introduced must be neutralised within 30 seconds. This means that any risk of infection via the pool water can be ruled out. An infection via the diluting and disinfecting pool water thus belongs to the world of fairy tales and legends as well as the "getting pregnant" in the pool water.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Indirect danger of infection via the bath water
According to a meeting with a cantonal water inspector of the Canton of Zurich on 2.3.2020, the pool water is subjected to a test in which 99.999% of the viruses and bacteria introduced must be neutralised within 30 seconds. This means that any risk of infection via the pool water can be ruled out. An infection via the diluting and disinfecting pool water thus belongs to the world of fairy tales and legends as well as the "getting pregnant" in the pool water.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
02.03.2020 / 2.59pm
Information about the coronavirus
Dear Zollicuda customers, dear parents
In dealing with the risk of infection with the novel coronavirus (Corvid 19), we refer to the recommendations of the Department for Secondary and Vocational Education (MBA) of the Canton of Zurich and the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). We are also in constant contact with the Sports Department of the City of Zurich and the Cantonal Laboratory of Zurich (KLZH). We can recommend the following:
Summarised, it can be said: Swimming lessons with Zollicuda privately or in small groups (smaller than e.g. at school) and in a disinfected environment currently gives no reason for further precautions. Nevertheless, we are constantly monitoring the situation and will take immediate action if necessary. It is very important to us that you, your children and finally yet importantly our teachers are protected in the best possible way.
We will be happy to answer any further questions, if we are able to, or to refer you to the appropriate specialist departments.
Kind regards
For the school management Zollicuda
Robert Müller
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
In dealing with the risk of infection with the novel coronavirus (Corvid 19), we refer to the recommendations of the Department for Secondary and Vocational Education (MBA) of the Canton of Zurich and the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). We are also in constant contact with the Sports Department of the City of Zurich and the Cantonal Laboratory of Zurich (KLZH). We can recommend the following:
- Additional measures than those recommended by the BAG do not seem appropriate at this time for swimming lessons with Zollicuda.
- Experts consider a risk of infection in the pool water to be "non-existent".
- The rooms and floors of indoor pools are regularly cleaned and disinfected.
- According to experts, it is not necessary to increase hygiene activities in public bathing facilities, as the existing measures are sufficient.
- Zollicuda advises all clients, parents and teachers to avoid unnecessary direct physical contact (no handshaking for greeting).
- While the child is still in the water adaptation phase (usually in children up to 5 years of age), exhalation with water spitting in the direction of the nearby swimming teacher should be avoided when the child comes out of the water after diving.
- Children are not affected by a severe course of the illness.
Summarised, it can be said: Swimming lessons with Zollicuda privately or in small groups (smaller than e.g. at school) and in a disinfected environment currently gives no reason for further precautions. Nevertheless, we are constantly monitoring the situation and will take immediate action if necessary. It is very important to us that you, your children and finally yet importantly our teachers are protected in the best possible way.
We will be happy to answer any further questions, if we are able to, or to refer you to the appropriate specialist departments.
Kind regards
For the school management Zollicuda
Robert Müller
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)