Last time the beaches were closed, one of the reasons given was to free up Ocean Safety personnel to work other aspects of the pandemic and to reduce lifeguard exposure to rescues that involve close water contact with respiratory infection.
Not sure if that is still a part of the reasoning, as most of the towers have not been as fully staffed as much as pre-COVID, but it might be a part of it, as now many of our emergency response folks, including the MRC, are being asked to be ready & willing to work hospital shifts to cover for staffing shortages (Kona is already requesting MRC coverage).
Not sure if that is still a part of the reasoning, as most of the towers have not been as fully staffed as much as pre-COVID, but it might be a part of it, as now many of our emergency response folks, including the MRC, are being asked to be ready & willing to work hospital shifts to cover for staffing shortages (Kona is already requesting MRC coverage).