Ninety-year-old Joe Vente carries every single pool ID he's ever had to prove that he's been a member since 1969.
Vente and others are dedicated swimmers at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Pool, where the dynamic has now changed dramatically.
"I think it's terrible that we're in this situation," Vente said.
This pool, and the Margorie Post Community Pool in Massapequa, were both shut down for two days after one lifeguard at each pool tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, along with a second pool employee in Plainview.
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"We have taken every precaution and adhered to every protocol," Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joe Saladino said.
But the supervisor stopped short on Tuesday, of saying lifeguards and staff will now be required to get regular COVID-19 testing.
It was contact tracing from other cases, that led to the first positive test, and then the town worked quickly to contain it.
Swimmers say the pools are well cleaned and the rules are strictly enforced. So, they are keeping the faith for now.
"Every day I come, and I get to swim, I'm thankful," Plainview swimmer Michelle Aguirre said. "Because I don't know that it will stay open the whole summer."
For Vente, who is 90 years old, the current situation is both a risk and a lifeline.
"This is exercise, which I've been doing for so many years," Vente said. "It means a lot to come here. It does."
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