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Text of the petition
UGA is not planning to open Legion Pool
this summer. The administration cites the pandemic and safety concerns
as the reason to keep the pool closed:
"When considering current Centers for Disease Control and Department
of Public Health Guidelines, the persisting numbers of positive COVID-19
infections, as well as the uncertainty of when the Pandemic will be
sufficiently controlled for us to safely return to normal operations, we
have determined Legion Pool will remained closed for the 2021 Summer
Season."
Yet, it is safe to host indoor tennis
events, basketball games, gymnastics, have the - indoor - Ramsey Center
open even during the post-holiday spike, have baseball and of course
football. How could Legion Pool be any more dangerous than the Ramsey
Center?
We feel that the pool should be opened for the following reasons:
- President Biden has pledged to provide vaccines to all people
who want them by May 1. Therefore, most people will be vaccinated.
Common sense precautions--ie., temperature checks, masks in high
traffic areas, spacing out of lounge chairs, etc.--can be taken to
minimize risk. Science is clear that there is no risk of
transmission in the pool water itself, and the risk of infection in
an outdoor setting is also relatively low.
- UGA has canceled all study abroad programs for the summer. Those
faculty, staff and students will be in Athens, needing places to
gather and recreate.
- Summer in Georgia is oppressively hot, as we well know. Without
viable options, the university and community will be forced to
gather inside, contrary to public health guidelines.
- There is a paucity of outdoor pools in Athens. Groups such as
Extra Special People and other organizations depend on Legion Pool
as an important addition to their summer programs.
- The emotional, mental and physical well-being of faculty, staff
and students warrants an open Legion Pool this summer. Families have
been in isolation for a year, with almost no physical recreation or
social gatherings. Legion Pool provides both recreation and
community.
- Legion Pool is an outstanding facility which has contributed to
the life of this community for more than eighty years. We feel it is
vital to keep it open this summer to continue this tradition, and to
ensure the pool's upkeep..
We, the undersigned, ask that Legion Pool be opened this summer. In
addition, we ask that the pool season be extended to Labor Day, and
finally, that the facility be marketed to students.
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