In the era of COVID-19, attention to participant safety is more important than ever. This guide is a start for event organizers, coaches, training staff, and others who are managing gatherings that may be at risk for COVID-19 transmission. We encourage you to seek advice from health authorities and your risk management staff for latest local needs. At WaterMonster, we are the event hydration experts, and we’re here to help every step of the way with safe, convenient hydration. Here are a few tips we know will help provide safer events:
1. Minimize Touch Points
Common equipment that is shared can be a transmission point for the virus that causes COVID-19. These include sports equipment, facility touch points (like tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, toilets, faucets, and sinks), and communal food and hydration equipment. As you consider your hydration plan, think about keeping hands and faces away from common dispensing points. When it comes to coolers, the WaterMonster UltraSpout Duo system is a great solution for hands-free, foot-activated, low-touch hydration.
2. Use the right disinfectant.
The EPA expects that all products on List N to kill SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. Knowing your disinfectant can help you achieve your sanitation goals, and the EPA has created a search engine to assist you.
3. Stick to a Cleaning and Disinfecting Schedule
COVID-19 or no COVID-19, maintaining your hydration equipment is vital to protecting the health of your participants and staff. This includes planned and regular procedures to prevent the growth of harmful pathogens both inside and outside of your hydration equipment. With COVID-19, disinfecting between usage sessions is prudent. Some healthcare providers recommend multiple cleaning sessions per day during moderate to heavy use.
4. Check in on Participant Health and Symptoms
Before a pathogen gets anywhere near your team or commonly used touch points, it is wise to ask about participant current health status. Have they been exposed to a person with COVID-19 recently, even if they are currently asymptomatic? Do they have a fever? Have they felt flu-like symptoms in the last 48 hours? Asking the right questions can provide another layer of safety to your team, group, or event.
5. Maintain Distance
Health experts agree about the effectiveness of maintaining social distance. When possible, be aware of your gathering points, including hydration stations, and take appropriate measures for social distancing. The WaterMonster Manifold System offers six feet of separation between dispensing points. When paired with our foot-activated systems, COVID-19 transmission points can be greatly reduced.
Working together, we will lessen the effects of COVID-19 on sports and gatherings of all kinds. With prudent, thoughtful plans and the right equipment, organizers can greatly reduce the risks to participants. Hydration is an absolute necessity, and WaterMonster is here to help you get open, get scheduled, and protect your participants. Have questions about your hydration plans? Give us a call at (214) 399-1662 or view our entire lineup of safety-enhancing products at watermonster.us.
This blog post was provided by WaterMonster.
Periodically, the American Camp Association (ACA) makes timely and relevant information about products and services available to its members so they can make informed decisions for their camps. However, the ACA does not endorse products, services, or companies.
