the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Andy Moss and Jerry Zheng two New Jersey high school students from Basking Ridge and competitive swimmers started a petition to ask Governor Murphy to reopen pools for competitive swimmers to practice.
That petition, which started on May 17, has since gone viral tracking toward 13,000 signatures. Hundreds of competitive swimmers are looking forward to getting back in the pools to train, and serious competitors are ready to train responsibly. Here is the link to the petition
As science clearly demonstrates, chlorine does in fact kill the coronavirus and helps prevent the spread. On the CDC website it clearly states, “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html
Here is USA Swimming’s Guidance to how this could safely work: https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/usa-swimming-presents-clubs-with-safe-ways-to-return-to-practice Please trust the maturity of competitive athletes: we are focused and serious and responsible. If you grant us the privilege to return to swimming we will not disappoint you or the people of New Jersey. Perhaps swimming pools across the state used for training could be open for competitive swimmers to train until there is full public access.
To date, there has been no formal updates as to when the pools will reopen, and for swimmers that have already lost two plus months of training time, it’s beginning to affect not only their skills but also in some case physical and mental well-being.
Citing research that shows COVID-19 does not spread inside the pool, the fact that competitive swimmers who take the sport seriously will practice responsibly by adhering to social distancing rules outside the pool, and the mental and health benefits of the sport, the petition is asking the governor to consider opening the pools for competitive swimmers who need to be in the pool.
With permission from their parents, Andy and Jerry are available for interviews. They’ve been on Fox & Friends twice in the last two weeks. Here’s a most recent segment.
It’s quite apparent to me that Nancy Bigos does not want to open Graydon this year. Her presentation to Village Council members last night was filled with negatives – she talked all about how difficult it would be for her and her staff; no mention of benefits to the community and what could be done to open up Graydon. Opening the pool would mean work for her; I guess she’s just damn lazy.
Mrs. Bigos had nothing but excuses. No action plan; just a list of excuses. Fire her ass now Heather.
It’s amazing what’s going on in recreation Department. Someone has to pull their head out of their ass. This bullshit is been going on way too long. Way too political bullshit with this shit in the pool. It’s amazing how some people brag about it. That place needs so much maintenance look all the fieldstone walls falling apart people wake up. That place really needs to be Inspected before it even opens.
Real Americans would just go to the pool in droves