How To Avoid the Coronavirus While Traveling
When Covid-19 first emerged, we could have hardly envisioned the impact it would come to have on the entire world. We have now entered a new normal, with closures, suspension of travel, lockdowns and mass layoffs. What is also true though is that researchers have learned a great deal about the virus in the time since it began to spread and travel guidance has been changed to reflect that.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the specific strain in the family known as Coronaviruses that typically attack the respiratory system of those that are infected. It is believed that COVID-19 started in mainland China in bats and then made the jump to humans. This family of viruses also includes Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). It is a common occurrence for those infected with the virus to develop other respiratory complications, with pneumonia being the most common.
If you have children or work with children it is also important to share with them factual information and how to stay safe and not to be scared. Tara Powell from the University of Illinois School of Social Work, Joy Osofsky from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and Krystal Lewis at the National Institute of Mental Health made a comic strip series to help explain to kids what this outbreak is. Or those savvy enough for Tik Tok and other social media platforms, the CDC has shared multiple sources of information for you to stay informed.
How To Protect Yourself
One of the biggest things researchers have learned about Covid-19 is its method of transmission. Although it was initially believed that surface transmission was the most likely method of virus spread, new findings published by the CDC in October of 2020 have shown that it is now believed to be droplets containing the virus from an infected individual that is in close proximity to another person that is driving the increase in cases.
Social Distance and Masks
Given what the CDC is now reporting regarding the method of spread for Covid-19, they are recommending that the most effective way to avoid contracting the virus is to maintain a distance of at least six feet from people who are not living in the same household and to wear a mask. Social distancing on an airplane is now a challenging task, with Delta being the only major airline that has committed to blocking middle seats until May of 2021. Although researchers are theorizing that there is a low chance of catching Covid-19 on an aircraft due to the recirculation of air through HEPA filters in the cabin, there have been several examples of possible transmission of the virus between passengers in close proximity. It is important to note as well that the air circulation only occurs when the engines are running, and if there is a delay or the plane is sitting for a long period before turning on the system, the air does not circulate as well.
As far as mask wearing goes, the Biden administration has issued an executive order making a mask a requirement on any airline, train, bus or ferry in the country. Studies have shown that a well fitted cloth mask can decrease your chances of spreading the virus significantly and also slightly lower your chances of contracting the virus. Every airline will have its own standards as far as what passes, with some not allowing neck gaiters or other face coverings that are not considered as effective as a traditional mask. Be sure to check the airline policy before getting to the airport.
Hand Washing And Avoiding Contact With Your Face
Although the CDC is now saying social distance and wearing a mask is the best method for avoiding the virus, they are also still encouraging the tried-and-true method of washing your hands. The first thing we always do once we get off a flight is head straight to the bathroom and wash our hands thoroughly. Although airlines have started to decontaminate shared surfaces, they are still a very high-risk area when it comes to transmission of cold and flu viruses. The CDC also includes instructions on how to do it properly, as we have seen many times people simply splash some water on their hands and use no soap, which effectively does nothing to remove the virus from your hands. Related to hand washing is trying to avoid touching your face, as the way most colds and flu germs get into our body is via our eyes, nose, mouth and ears. By making sure you aren’t transferring germs to those areas, you guarantee you won’t become infected.
Sanitizing Wipes
As we already mentioned, airplanes are high-risk areas when it comes to cold and flu germs. If you run through the number of shared surfaces: entertainment system, seat recliner button, armrests, airline magazines, and safety cards and the restroom door handles. It gets even worse inside hotel rooms with door handles, sink knobs, tv remotes, and lights switches all being high danger surfaces.
One thing we always try and do is bring along a travel sized pack of sanitizing wipes, which you can find at most big box stores. While many airlines and hotels are now sanitizing the surfaces we mention, it can never hurt to bring your own wipes in order to have the peace of mind that they are actually being cleaned with anti-bacterial cleaning products.
Reconsider non-essential travel
With the Covid-19 case numbers into the hundreds of millions, and deaths now numbering more than 2 million, it is up to everyone to help stop the spread of the virus. This should also include a long consideration of whether or not travel during this time period is worth the risk. Many of us are certainly pandemic fatigued after more than a year of restrictions, but it is worth asking whether travel plans are able to be put off for a little bit longer. This will of course be a judgement call for each individual, but it is definitely worth asking the question and examining how much of a risk the location you are traveling to may pose, given how many cases they are currently seeing. You can find updated information on active cases at the John Hopkins Tracking Website.