Nothing will keep babies from pooping in pools — so ban babies

The Salt Lake Tribune editorial board came out against the Utah Department of Health’s recommendation of tight-fitting swim diapers and/or waterproof pants in its attempt to keep toddlers in public swimming pools, and the cryptosporidium parasite out.

The editorial says,

"Last year, after the outbreak, the state health department banned children under age 5 from public pools. It was a tough decision. But it was the right decision. …

"Swim diaper requirements will be difficult to enforce. And, unless the diapers
"waterproof" pants have elastic bands that are tighter than tourniquets, water-soluble fecal matter will still leak out.

"Public education won’t work either. It might keep adults from spreading the parasite by showering thoroughly and abstaining from swimming after battling diarrhea, but nothing, short of a cork or maybe duct tape, will keep babies from pooping in pools."

The editorial concludes,

"If state regulators don’t have the intestinal fortitude to ban babies from pools, local health departments should."

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About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time