JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
Feedback Fridays is a weekly forum that aims to connect the 502d Air Base Wing with members of the Joint Base San Antonio community. Questions are collected during commander’s calls, town hall meetings and throughout the week.
If you have a question or concern, please send an email to jbsapublicaffairs@gmail.com using the subject line “Feedback Fridays.”
Questions will be further researched and published as information becomes available.
Q. I am extremely grateful to be able to use the wonderful indoor pool, at JBSA Fort Sam Houston and I do not want to complain.
However, the talk among all of the pool users in the male locker room tends to center around the temperature in the pool which seems cooler than necessary and somewhat uncomfortable. A few people have simply stopped using the pool because they feel it is "just too cold."
If possible, please consider raising the pool temperature one or two degrees, especially as we approach the winter season with lower temperatures.
A: We appreciate you sharing your concern.
The 502d Force Support Squadron aquatic staff strives to ensure that your experience at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center Pool exceeds expectations. Pool temperatures are monitored continuously by the aquatic staff.
The current temperature averages between 79-81 degrees Fahrenheit; within the acceptable range for high demand pool training guidelines of 76-82 degrees Fahrenheit.
The aquatic staff at the Jimmy Brought Fitness Center Pool will continue to ensure that temperatures remain in the approved zone as we move into the winter.
Thank you for bringing your concern to our attention so we can continue providing a safe and comfortable environment for you to work out.
Q: I went to the gym and I was forced to wear a mask while performing vigorous exercise, due to the current mandate to wear a mask in all Department of Defense buildings according to directions from Dec. 13, 2021.
With this direction, I will not be able to prepare myself for the PT test adequately. Are you planning to postpone the physical fitness tests as well? I was out of breath and felt like I would pass out due to my exercise routine.
I am vaccinated. I did everything that was asked of me. How much longer will we have to endure this nonsense? Because of being unable to make everyone take the vaccine, the vaccinated people have to endure hardships and live an isolated life.
Please provide us with a clear guidance, instead of making everyone wear masks. When looking around the DOD buildings, the masks are just for show, people take them off when they eat or drink in the same room. How is that keeping everyone safe?
A: Thank you for contacting us with your questions.
JBSA COVID-19 Guidance Memorandum #62 issued a return to mask-wear inside all JBSA DOD facilities, including fitness centers, effective Dec. 13, 2021.
At this time, only test administrators are required to wear their masks during physical fitness assessments and there are no current plans to postpone Air Force Physical Fitness Assessments at JBSA.
Fortunately, there are a variety of outdoor options at all JBSA locations that do not require mask-wear that will prepare Individuals for their fitness assessments. Please work with your supervisor if you still have concerns regarding your fitness test.
JBSA transitioned to HPCON Bravo Plus on Jan. 5, 2022, which further limits building occupancy to 40% and limits official and social gatherings. When eating or drinking, individuals are allowed to remove their mask temporarily but must replace their mask immediately after.
The CDC still recommends the following COVID-19 mitigation practices: wear a mask over your nose and mouth, maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others, wash your hands and get vaccinated if you can.
Thank you for taking the time to write to the Feedback Fridays forum. Your input is valued and we hope that as a community we can continue to do our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Stay up to date on information about COVID-19 on our website: https://www.jbsa.mil/coronavirus/