Summer is here! Swimming lakes and outdoor pools attract. The Munich pilgrimage again to the parks, to the Isar and to lawns around the city. But can we go swimming safely despite Corona?
- With great strides from the Corona crisis : This can be seen in the leisure spots in many places.
- But whether on water or in the air: the risk of infection should not be underestimated.
- Does chlorine water protect against corona? Professor Dr. Johannes Bogner from LMU Munich explains.
- There is more on this topic in our app.
Munich - high activity in the English Garden, parties on the Isar, crowds on the sunbathing lawns, swimming lakes and in the mountains: With the further relaxation of the anti-corona protective measures * , many people are becoming increasingly risk-taking. But can we really afford that? Now a renowned Munich scientist has warned of a deceptive feeling of security .
For example, there is still an increased risk of infection on swimming lakes or in outdoor pools , said Professor Dr. Johannes Bogner from the Ludwig Maximilians University Hospital (LMU) of our newspaper. Born in Munich (60), he heads the infection department * , which he has helped to build since 1986. He is one of Germany's most experienced specialists in this medical field.
Corona risk at the lake and in the outdoor pool? The infectious disease specialist says so
The danger of corona not only lurks on the lawn, but also in the water - even if you keep two meters away from other swimmers. The background: in most cases, the Sars-Cov-2 viruses are transmitted by microscopic droplets called aerosols.
Bogner: “Where people bathe, water is moved. The aerosol clouds that arise can spread over several meters and hold in the air we breathe. In this respect, contagion while swimming is quite possible. "
Infection with Corona is also possible when bathing. That's why you should avoid crowds this year.
© Achim Frank Schmidt
In addition, it is a misconception that chlorinated water protects against a corona infection . "The chlorine concentration in public baths is by no means sufficient to neutralize the virus," explains the infectiologist. “The same applies as before: if you really want to protect yourself effectively, you have to keep your distance while wearing a protective mask. Of course, this combination can hardly be implemented, especially in water. That's why I advise you to avoid crowded lakes or full baths. "
Even when hiking, one should not underestimate the risk of infection . "Even if many people find it annoying: if you meet someone on a narrow path or forest path, you should put on a mask," recommends Bogner.
Vacation trips despite Corona? These things have to be considered
However , the doctor does not generally advise against vacation trips abroad . “The basic principle of keeping your distance and wearing a mask applies in France, Italy or Austria as well as in Germany. It is crucial that you behave responsibly - no matter in which country, ”says Bogner. If you absolutely want to travel this summer, you should inform yourself about the infection * in the respective holiday region. “Regional data help to better assess individual risk.” Information on this is available from the American Johns Hopkins University on its website. Here you can click through a world map into individual regions and call up corona case numbers.
Professor Dr. Johannes Bogner from the Ludwig Maximilians University Hospital (LMU).
© FKN
In the fight against Corona , it is crucial that the so-called reproductive index * remains significantly below a value of 1 - this means that an infected person infects less than one person. The result: “Epidemic infectious diseases disappear over time if the reproductive index is permanently below 1. Examples like bird flu or swine flu have shown that very nicely. ”
At the same time, however, the infectiologist warned against comparing these and other influenza viruses with the novel coronavirus * . “Influenza usually has an incubation period of one to two days, while Covid-19 develops in about five to 14 days. This means that even with a favorable reproductive factor, it will take much longer for the corona pandemic to go away. ”
The clinical picture of Covid-19 * is also very different from flu, Bogner emphasizes: “The Sars-Cov-2 virus can damage the lung as well as many different organ systems, including the blood vessels with thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, the heart and the like Heart failure, gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys. "
* Merkur.de is an offer from the nationwide Ippen Digital editors network
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Lino Mirgeler
