RFK Jr. Went Swimming In Sewage Water — Health Experts Beg You Not To Do That.
HuffPost
The Health and Human Services secretary’s swim in contaminated waters is not only risky, but also a flashing sign that he does not respect public health guidance.
In today’s episode of “is this real life,” Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. decided it was a good idea to spend the weekend swimming (and take his grandchildren for a dip) in Rock Creek, a not-safe-for-swimming-or-wading body of water in Washington, D.C.
The Health and Human Services secretary posted photos of himself dunking his entire head underwater in waters that are known to contain high levels of bacteria, according to the National Park Service. Rock Creek is also known to contain sewage.
“One of the most common bacteria that is has been found in Rock Creek and in, really, any bodies of water that may have sewage contamination, chances are they’re going to have E. coli,” said Dr. Anita Patel, a pediatric critical care doctor in Washington, D.C.
“The creek has had a historically high level of E. coli in the water, and that E. coli, as we know, can cause very severe illness in humans and even in pets,” said Jessica Malaty Rivera, an infectious disease epidemiologist.
This is why the swimming and wading restrictions are in place, Malaty Rivera added — to keep people and pets safe.
