Nelson: RCSC officials should have common sense in Sun City
Posted
The Recreation Clubs of Sun City officials need, in my opinion, to use some common sense in closures of their facilities due to COVID-19.
While obeying the law, and complying with Gov. Doug Ducey’s mandates, it would seem far more could be done for members than simply shutting everything down besides golf and swimming pools. For instance, even if only one person were allowed in the RCSC gyms at a time, by now, thousands could have had a workout. Would five, or even three people at a time be too many? Common sense says “no!” If schools can open, if we can safely go to grocery stores, why are gyms considered magical houses of contagion/infection? Even restaurants are open.
Is it fear of liability? Fine. Have RCSC lawyers draw up “hold harmless” agreements anyone wanting to use the gym along with 2-4 other members are required to sign, stating they will not sue RCSC if it can later be proven they contracted COVID-19 at the gym. Chances are, they won’t get infected, not with a little common sense and social distancing, which would be easy with only 3-5 other users. Even if they are breathing hard and sweating up a storm. Allow people to sign up for 30-minute blocks, in person, starting at gym opening time. If nobody shows up for the next block, you can continue your workout. Oh, and check temperatures on the way in, sign a waiver stating you are showing no symptoms.
Tennis, pickleball, baseball, who’s kidding who? Fresh air, sunshine, vitamin D, exercise will keep more of us alive than “sheltering in place,” sitting on the Internet bickering about politics (and RCSC policies) all day long.
C’mon RCSC, apply a little common sense. Rearrange some AC ducts, if necessary. Create the necessary waivers. And let members get back to the gyms, which are one of the reasons many of us moved to Sun City in the first place. And thank you for all you have done to keep us safe, even if now it appears some of your measures went a little overboard.
