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Archives for 2020

Archives for 2020

What You Need to Know About Swimming in Backyard Pools this Summer

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Like any outdoor activity, there is a certain amount of risk in swimming in backyard pools due to the coronavirus. Should you choose to take it, here’s how you can do so as safely as possible.

Many families are wondering if it’s safe to swim in backyard swimming pools as restrictions begin to lift after the Covid-19 pause. Aslam Jangda, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician at Crystal Run Healthcare, and his daughter Maha Jangda, a recent medical school graduate, compiled some safety tips (with the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to separate fact from fiction when it comes to swimming in backyard swimming pools this summer.

The good news is, the CDC has not yet detected the virus in water that is treated with filtration and disinfection (pool water). In other words, it is believed that the chemicals in your pool can kill or inactivate the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, safety measures should not be taken lightly. Dr. Aslam Jangda stresses that  it’s best for friends and families to continue practicing social distancing and avoid going into pools together. If your family chooses to take the risk of swimming in backyard pools this summer, here are the answers to some questions that can help you swim in backyard pools as safely as possible.

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Can the coronavirus spread through pool water?

There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread from person to person through the water in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas, as long as the water is well-maintained and cleaned regularly, according to the CDC. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.

Pool owners should follow the CDC’s pool safety guidelines before swimming in or allowing others to swim in their pool. The Water Quality & Health Council is offering free pool test kits so pool owners can measure the chlorine level and pH of water backyard pools through its 16th annual Healthy Pools campaign. You can also download this free poster from the CDC for using and storing pool chemicals safely.

Does chlorine kill coronavirus?

Remember: Well-maintained pools are less likely to spread germs. “The average amount of chlorine that’s in a pool is going to kill the virus,” says Roberta Lavin, a professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee’s College of Nursing. So the answer is yes, it is believed that chlorine can inactivate the coronavirus.

But there is something we need to keep in mind, especially with younger kids swimming in pools. Peeing in the pool isn’t only gross (though kids will inevitably do it at least once in their lives), pee reacts with chlorine, reducing the amount of chemical available to kill any viruses in the water, according to the Water Quality & Health Council. So if there’s any summer to not pee in the pool, it’s this one.

“Just as you should wear a mask when out in public today, in the pool you should protect yourself and other swimmers by practicing good swimmer hygiene—don’t pee in the pool and remember to shower before swimming,” says Chris Wiant, M.P.H., Ph.D., chair of the Water Quality & Health Council.

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Are saltwater swimming pools safe to swim in during the coronavirus pandemic?

There is no evidence that supports the inactivation of the coronavirus in saltwater pools, so they should be avoided for now, Dr. Aslam Jangda recommends. Saltwater pools generally have lower chlorine levels, which puts an individual at higher risk for coronavirus than if they were in an average chlorinated pool.

Are hot tubs safe to use during COVID-19 pandemic?

The CDC says there is no evidence to back up the survival potential of the virus in hot tubs as long as they are well maintained and disinfected. However, since hot tubs have a much smaller diameter than pools, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to properly distance yourself from others while in a hot tub. So avoid hot tubs as much as you can.

Is keeping 6 feet distance in the pool enough to keep you safe?

No, it’s not enough. Pool-goers should practice social distance as well as good hygiene when getting in and out of the pool. Keep in mind: While swimming (especially kids), people are often touching their face, mouth, and nose more often than normal, whether it is to rub your eyes after coming up for air or hold your nose. Some tips from the CDC for maintaining good hygiene while swimming are:

  • Follow local and state guidelines that determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate, including how many can be present in a pool in accordance to its size
  • Minimize the amount of surfaces being touched before getting into the pool and after getting out
  • Wash your hands
  • Do not share towels or toys (volleyballs, beach balls, floaties, etc.).
  • Owners of pools, hot tubs, spas, and play areas should follow the interim guidance for cleaning and disinfecting their water facilities

Can more than one family or a  group that has been quarantined together be in the pool at the same time?

Multiple families who are quarantined separately should avoid going into the same swimming pool together. We don’t know each family’s status of infection and in pools there is a risk of direct exposure. Members of the same family (living and quarantining in the same household) can go in the pool together

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Can we share pool toys or floaties?

No. It is best to avoid contact as much as possible. While disinfecting pool toys does decrease the risk of contracting the viral infection, it is best to avoid sharing  pool equipment altogether. Group games that involve floaties, water volleyball, water basketball, and anything that involves multiple people interacting in close proximity should be discontinued as well. Families should maintain an acceptable amount of distance between one another and bring your own pool toys, floaties, and chairs.

Remember, when swimming in a pool with friends and family, you need to take responsibility for your own protection and for disinfecting your hands, your children’s hands, and anything you touch in the pool area. You should operate under the assumption that people are infected. The virus can hang around in the air in the form of tiny droplets called aerosols for up to 30 minutes. Here are some extra tips to keep safe:

  • If you or anyone in your family has symptoms of the disease (fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, loss of taste/smell) do not use the pool. In fact, you should stay home.
  • Wear a face mask when you are not in the swimming pool.
  • Make sure the pool is properly sanitized with chlorine and bromine.
  • Stay socially distanced at all times, both in and out of the water.
  • Keep the pool gathering to a small group of trusted friends/family who you are sure have been following the rules of social distancing.

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Melissa Wickes, a graduate of Binghamton University and the NYU Summer Publishing Institute, is the production editor for NYMetroParents. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing the guitar or eating pasta. 

Staten Island Wine Fairies

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First it was rainbows in windows. Then people started pretending to be ants.

Now it’s wine fairies.

The latest quarantine trend has the potential to be the biggest yet. After all, if there’s one thing parents can use after being trapped inside with their kids 24/7, it’s a drink.

Like the others, this trend gained popularity via Facebook. The Staten Island Wine Fairies Facebook group started around mid-May and has since attracted nearly 5,000 followers (and counting), less than two weeks after its inception.

The concept is simple. Members “sign up” by privately sharing their address with a page admin or moderator, a.k.a. their “Fairy Wine Mother,” depending on their zip code. Then at some point they receive a free wine package to their door. Members can also sign up to be a “fairy” and deliver a package to another member.

You don’t have to give to receive, according to Staten Island Wine Fairies creator Toni Freda. “This page is more about giving and so many people have played a fairy more than once. It is addictive, ” she said. “The first round of deliveries were just bottles of wine, now the baskets are getting bigger and bigger and even themed. I gifted a Wu Tang Clan themed basket yesterday!”

Freda was compelled to start the page after the tragic passing of her father to Covid-19 on Easter Sunday, just one day after his 80th birthday. Unable to mourn with her family or friends due to social distancing guidelines and her profession as an essential hospital worker, she was overwhelmed with grief.

“I started the page in hopes it would be a cheerful distraction from all the sadness,” she said. “After my dad passed, friends and family showered me with sympathy baskets to my home. Each day, when I opened the mail I felt so connected and happy. I wanted others to experience that feeling, so I decided to a start the page. I never expected it to grow so quickly.”

“The joy and happiness I see in all the pictures and posts is making me so proud of this community,” she continued. “Everyone is having such a great time spreading Liquid Sunshine! I have fairy’d eight people so far myself and I am so happy to be a Fairy Wine Mother!”

A quick scroll through the page reveals just how much fun Staten Islanders are having “sprinkling liquid happiness.” Each delivery seems more elaborate than the next, with different themes, flavors and goodies. Members are encouraged to dress up as fairies when making deliveries if they want.

A few members have even received kid-friendly baskets for their little ones along with their own deliveries. Another member recently suggested pregnant or sober moms be “wined” with baskets full of non-alcoholic treats, like tea, coffee etc.

Wanna join the fun? Head over the Staten Island Wine Fairies Facebook page and be sure to read the announcement at the top of the page with information and disclaimers.

Cheers!

Jeannine Cintron is a Staten Island mom of two and the editor for Staten Island Parent. When she’s not writing or managing the S.I. Parent Facebook page, you can find her binging an inexcusable amount of television for anyone with two children.

Get Free Books Online

on page 5 of our Interactive Mini-Mag

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The American Camp Association, Y-USA, & CDC Released Guidelines for Summer Camps Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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Each summer, thousands of New York children go today and overnight camp. But with the COVID-19 pandemic this year, many sleepaway camps have announced they’ll be closed this summer, and parents are left wondering whether day camps will open. There is no doubt that children need camp now more than ever after being out of the school setting for so long. Summer camp provides children with an outdoor learning environment, a break from screens, and the opportunity to socialize with friends face to face. Without camp, children will be out of a structured environment for nearly six months before school potentially starts up again in the fall and many working parents will be left without child care during the summer months.

Over the past few weeks, as states have been planning the reopening of the economy, summer camp owners and directors have been awaiting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Camp Association, and state and local governments about best practices for operating camp safely this summer. These guidelines were just released and are being reviewed by camps, families, and state and local governments. The decision to allow camps to operate this summer will ultimately be made by state and local officials. While some camps have already made the difficult decision to not open this summer, other camps are waiting to hear from their state governments in the next few weeks.

Camp Safety Guidelines from The American Camp Association and YMCA of the USA

On Monday, the American Camp Association and YMCA of the USA released educational resources to help camps and state officials make informed decisions about camp this summer. The ACA and Y-USA engaged Environmental Health & Engineering Inc., a Boston-based consulting firm specializing in environmental health, to convene an independent expert panel of specialists to create this educational resource. The panel included support from the Association of Camp Nursing and specialists in pediatric medicine, epidemiology, infectious disease management, biological safety, industrial hygiene, organizational design, and other technical specialties. Recommendations from the ACA’s summer camp 2020 resources include things such as:

  • Prescreening of campers and staff before camp
  • Ongoing screening throughout summer
  • Increased hand washing and sanitizing
  • Fewer children in bunks at overnight camps
  • Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces daily throughout facilities
  • Holding activities outside as often as possible
  • Organizing campers into small group “households” with limited mixing of groups

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Summer Camp Safety Guidelines

The CDC also released guidelines this week on how camps can operate during the coronavirus pandemic with some similar recommendations as the resources released by ACA and Y-USA.  Camps should:

  • Educate campers, staff, and their families on when they should stay home from camp
  • Teach and reinforce handwashing with soap and water
  • Keep small groups of campers together all day (cohorting)
  • Have campers bring their own lunch and sit in separate areas as opposed to a dining hall
  • Stagger arrival and dismissal times by cohort
  • Avoid field trips and large camp group gatherings
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and equipment

Read the CDC Guidelines for Reopening Schools

on page 20 of our Interactive Mini-Mag

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Fire Up the Grill This Weekend

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A holiday weekend isn’t complete until you fire up the grill, but flame-kissed steaks are just the start to an unforgettable meal that celebrates all the best of the season.

To create the perfect main dish, start with high-quality protein, like a New York strip. If you’re opting for burgers, elevate your menu with flavorful accompaniments like crisp candied bacon, sauteed shrimp and zesty homemade pickles for a menu you won’t soon forget.

Find more ideas for upgrading the grilling experience in your own backyard at OmahaSteaks.com.

Candied Bacon

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8

  • 1          pound (1 package) Omaha Steaks Applewood Smoked Steak-Cut Bacon
  • 1          tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1          cup packed light brown sugar
  1. Heat oven to 375° F.
  2. Place wire rack on foil-lined baking sheet. Place strips of bacon on wire rack and sprinkle with black pepper. Lightly pat brown sugar on top of bacon in thin layer.
  3. Place baking sheet on center rack in oven and bake 25 minutes, or until brown sugar melts and bacon is crisp.
  4. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes. Using tongs, transfer bacon to parchment-lined baking sheet and cool to room temperature.
  5. Store in airtight container up to 3 days at room temperature.

burger

Quick Pickles

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 1/2 cups

  • 1/2       cup white vinegar
  • 2          teaspoons sugar
  • 1          teaspoon mustard seed
  • 1          teaspoon salt
  • 1          clove garlic, crushed
  • 1/2       teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1          teaspoon dried dill, chopped, or 2 tablespoons fresh dill leaves
  • 1          bay leaf
  • 4          cucumbers, cut into angled 1-inch slices
  1. Heat small saucepan over medium high heat. Add vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, salt, garlic and red pepper flakes, if desired; cook until mixture begins to simmer and sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.
  2. In heat-proof bowl, toss dill, bay leaf and sliced cucumbers. Pour simmering liquid over cucumbers and stir to evenly coat. Cool to room temperature or chill before serving.

Note: Pickles may be made up to 3 days in advance. Refrigerate in covered non-reactive container.

shrimp burger

Connecticut-Style Shrimp

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 4          tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2          tablespoons chives
  • 1/4       teaspoon salt
  • 1/8       teaspoon black pepper
  • 12        large, cleaned, uncooked Omaha Steaks Wild Argentinian Red Shrimp
  1. Heat medium skillet to medium-high heat. Add butter; cook until melted.
  2. Add chives, salt, pepper and shrimp to pan. Cook 2 minutes, turn shrimp and cook 2 minutes, or until shrimp is opaque and cooked through. Remove from heat and serve.

Dry-Brined New York Strips with Grilled Brown Butter Balsamic Onions

Prep time: 1-12 hours
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Servings: 4

Dry Brine:

  • 4          tablespoons Kosher salt
  • 1          tablespoon coarse ground pepper
  • 4          (11-ounce) Omaha Steaks Private Reserve Boneless New York Strips, thawed

Butter and Balsamic:

  • 4          tablespoons salted butter
  • 2          tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2          teaspoons fresh thyme

Grilled Onions:

  • 2          large sweet onions
  • 4          wooden skewers, soaked
  • 1          tablespoon olive oil
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  1. To make dry brine: Combine salt and pepper; season steaks generously on all sides. Place steaks on elevated rack on baking sheet and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
  2. To make butter and balsamic: Heat small skillet to medium high heat. Add butter and cook until butter begins to brown and smell nutty. Remove from heat and add balsamic vinegar and thyme. Set aside.
  3. To make grilled onions: Peel off outer layers of onions. Slice into 1/2-inch slices. Lay onions on flat surface. Push skewers through centers of onions; two onion slices per skewer. Brush onions with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. To cook steaks and onions: Make two-zone fire on charcoal grill with coals on one side and no coals on the other.
  5. Place onions on cool side of grill; flip and rotate every 10 minutes until golden brown, approximately 25-30 minutes. Total time will depend on how hot coals are and how close onions are to fire. When onions are golden and tender, brush with brown butter balsamic mixture.
  6. On hot side of grill, during last 15 minutes of cook time for onions, cook steaks to desired temperature. When steaks are 5 F from desired temperature, remove from grill and let rest 5-10 minutes.
  7. Remove onions from grill. Carefully remove onions from skewers and place in serving dish.  Top with remaining brown butter balsamic mixture and serve with steaks.

SOURCE:
Omaha Steaks via Family Features

How to Plan a Backyard Vacation

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Your backyard, always a great for your health and well-being, can do even more for families this summer by being a place to hold a staycation. With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping more people closer to home, a backyard vacation can be a fun way to spend time together and build new memories as a family while spending time in green space.

How do you excite your family about a backyard vacation and plan a fun time? Here are a few tips to help from the TurfMutt environmental education and stewardship program.

Make a backyard staycation plan

. Put together a gentle schedule with a mixture of activities that your family will enjoy like dining, camping and games. Add a theme for the week, day or evening. A luau theme can be carried through with costumes, food and activities. A sports theme can have everyone in team jerseys and doing sports activities. Use creative names for meals and activities to spice things up. Even you don’t have a pool, children’s water play misters or sprinklers can help everyone cool off in the backyard (provided your area is not under drought conditions).

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Map where activities will occur in the yard.

A lawn area may be the site of a soccer game, bocce ball or croquet, but it can also double as an overnight camping zone for the kids in a family tent. The fire pit can be used for roasting hot dogs for lunch or s’mores at night. Time for crafts, potting plants, and eating can happen at a picnic or dining table. 

Assess what you have and consider their creative uses.

Lounge chairs, sports and play equipment can be used for their original purposes, but they can also become part of an amazing obstacle course. The wheelbarrow used for gardening and yard work can become part of a family field day. The playset your children adore can become a breakfast spot or reading area. 

Spruce up your yard.

Mow the lawn and trim the bushes. Tidy overgrown areas. Add flowering plants and rearrange planters for visual appeal. Put delicate flowers in pots and out of the way of foot traffic. Now may be the time to add a picnic table, a badminton net or croquet course, planters, patio, grill, fire pit, or pergola to your backyard. 

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Organize for fun

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Identify zones for different activities. Dining, lounging and reading may be best in shady spots. Sports, family yard games and tossing a ball to your dog may be better on a lawn that can handle rough and tumble play. Hammocks, lawn chairs, swings, picnic blankets and air mattresses can all provide a place for people to sit down and cool off. 

Include teachings about backyard wildlife and nature.

Ask kids to take an inventory of the many birds, butterflies and other wildlife they see, looking up their species and background. Put up a bird feeder or plant a butterfly garden, as well as potted flowering plants to support birds and pollinators. Add wind chimes, rain collectors, or backyard thermometers and wind gauges to help kids observe science in action. 

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Design new games incorporating your green space.

Hold a nature scavenger hunt that’s both fun, educational and tests your family’s observational skills. Create a “drive-thru” movie theatre by bringing laptops outside or a projector to show them on a sheet hung outside.

Build anticipation.

Talk about your backyard vacation in advance with your family and review your plans. Count down the days to build excitement about spending time together in your family yard.

 

For more information and tips about living landscapes and backyard learning visit www.TurfMutt.com

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Cabin Fever Candids Winner Announced

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We asked for uplifting photos of your kids during quarantine, and boy, did you all deliver! Hundreds of entries rolled in. Kids were making masks, playing outside, crafting, laughing, cooking, smiling, playing with siblings, hosting tea parties, displaying gratitude signs for essential workers, performing science experiments, homeschooling, driving by grandparents’ homes, celebrating holidays, building lego masterpieces,  playing dressup, and much, much more.

You can still view the gallery here. We promise, it will make you smile.

There were tons of votes, so thanks to all who voted as well.

We’d like to present our winner, 8-year-old Amira, who is getting some “much-needed spa therapy.” Congratulations Amira! When this is all over, we’re SO joining you on your next spa day.

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