While on one of our many car rides to the train station, my son stopped me mid sentence to point out the Sea Girt Playground. "Look, Mom," he said. "The yellow tape is gone. The playground is open!" The joy in his voice broke my heart since my husband and I have been a bit hesitant to frequent our favorite public play places since quarantine. Careful not to upset him, I told my son that he was absolutely right about the opening of the playground and that we would have to pick a day soon to go back on the "big slide"! To my son, my response was exactly what he wanted to hear. For me, it was a way to buy myself time to figure out how to keep my family safe, if we choose to go back to our favorite playground.
Upon arriving home that morning, I pulled out my computer and started my search! Wanting nothing more than to make my son smile the way he had done when seeing the swings, I pulled from reputable sources different tips and techniques to visit playgrounds without risking our health. To my surprise, there was a great deal of support that made me feel a bit more comfortable with the situation. While we have yet to slide down the slide, I hope that the information below will help you if you are feeling a bit uneasy with your decision to either stay or stray from the playgrounds:
Thoughts about going:
- Outdoor playgrounds have the benefit of fresh air that indoor spaces cannot offer. When air is stagnant (like in an indoor mall), respiratory droplets can linger!
- Outdoor playgrounds allow for more space between people, which makes social distancing easier than when indoors. The only issue with that, however, is when playgrounds become too crowded. In those instances, choosing an alternative location is definitely the safest option!
- While the virus "lives" the longest on plastic and stainless steel objects, The CDC has noted that the main way that the virus spreads is NOT via touch (and subsequent face/mouth touching).
When (or if) you get there:
- Mask are required at playgrounds and act as a suitable way to reduce the transmission of the virus.
- Carrying wet wipes to first rid your child's hands of dirt then coating the entire surface of their hands with hand sanitizer will help prevent the spread of the virus post playground visit.
- Upon arriving home, children should immediately wash their hands with soap and water.
If you do decide that a playground visit is in your future, check out our PLAYGROUND DIRECTORY for the top spots from Monmouth Beach to Bay Head!
