Up until last Friday, the Oregon Health Authority was adamant that public pools with lifeguards should turn away children under 14 if they did not have an adult with them. But after public outcry and media inquiries, including from The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, agency officials appear to recognize how wrong a call they’d made.
Last Friday afternoon, the agency’s pool safety team pulled back and proposed that pools post signs that now recommend — not require — adults to accompany those under 14, Oregon Health Authority spokesman Jonathan Modie told the editorial board. In addition, the team suggested that agency leaders convene a public process that includes parents, caregivers and public pool operators to discuss improving safety while preserving pool access for older elementary and middle school students.
Assuming health authority leaders adopt the proposal, the move would be a welcome reversal. Public pool operators, including Portland Parks and Recreation, should immediately drop the requirement and revert to the previous policy allowing those 11 and older to attend without an adult…