​It is hot outside, and for many people living in towns and cities across America, that means it is time to hit the pool. But many public pools are shuttered due to a lifeguard shortage in many parts of the country. We find out more about this unexpected impact of the coronavirus pandemic from Jodi Jay, the division manager for the city of Austin parks and recreation aquatics division. We also take to the streets in Philadelphia, where almost a third of all public pools are shut to find out how this shortage is impacting communities there.


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THE WEATHER IS HOT... AND THE POOL IS CALLING.. .BUT FOR SOME NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE US... THERE IS NO RELIEF FROM THE HEAT...

SOT Devin Coleman
So those public pools, I see a lot of them aren't open anymore.
Um and it's a shame.

IN PHILADELPHIA... MORE THAN A THIRD OF PUBLIC POOLS REMAIN CLOSED THIS SUMMER... LEAVING THE COMMUNITY HIGH AND DRY...

SOT Anastayia Shevchenko Clip 1
There are a lot of Children in the community uh, that were already lacking parks and playgrounds for kids to go. 00:38 It would be fantastic for the children to have a place to go swim 00:42
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SOT BEVERLEY HALEY
It is taking away from the community 01:05 You know kids need somewhere to go.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM... A NATION-WIDE LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE

IN AUSTIN TEXAS... OVER ONE MILLION VISITORS VISIT THE 45 AQUATIC FACILITIES IN A TYPICAL YEAR...

SOT Jodi Jay Division Manager City of Austin Parks and Recreation
A way to escape the heat in Texas... It's very important its a place to make community 1:41

BUT WITH COVID ... A PERFECT STORM... A LOST YEAR OF CERTIFICATION EFFORTS AND DELAYED RECRUITMENT... LEAVING LIFEGUARD NUMBERS DWINDLING...

SOT Jodi Jay
in 2019 we hired and trained 850 lifeguards 3:07
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we started summer of 2021 under 200 lifeguards. 05:04 And currently we're approaching 400.

HALF THE LIFEGUARDS MEANS ONLY HALF OF AUSTIN'S POOLS ARE OPEN... AND ON A LIMITED SCHEDULE...

SOME CITIES ARE NOW DOUBLING DOWN TO RESCUE THE SUMMER SEASON... OFFERING INCREASED WAGES AND RETENTION BONUSES...

FOR RESIDENTS, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO BEATING THE HEAT...

SOT Anastayia Shevchenko just keep the pool's open.