The thought of traveling in the “new normal” causes excitement in many, but also fear because of the COVID-19 crisis. One of the biggest reasons why this virus has had a global impact is travel. Although we cannot avoid travel forever, nor should we, after several months of quarantine and a difficult period for many – we need to know how to properly protect and disinfect ourselves, especially on the road.
Airlines face a major challenge – to change their cleaning and disinfection policy. They have adapted very well, trying to clean and disinfect between each flight, as well as their airports in general. We all know that COVID-19 is not visible to the naked eye, so we should not be guided by the assumption that everything is clean because it looks like that. We have to take preventive measures ourselves to protect ourselves and the people around us.
- Stop touching your face!
This one is HUGE because germs are always going to be around us, so it’s our responsibility to make sure we’re not letting that bacteria inside of our bodies, by avoiding the spread of germs. If you’re outside and can’t wash your hands, you can still prevent spreading germs by not touching others around you and your face. Viral particles can travel inside mucus or saliva so unless your hands reach an area like your mouth or eyes, you can be relatively safe.
- Disinfect hard surfaces around you on the plane.
A new essential that we will all soon be carrying is disinfectant. Having disinfectant wipes handy can be very helpful in eliminating viruses around you when traveling. It’s important to note that you should only clean hard surfaces since the fabric will remain moist for some time and, as a result, may cause an environment for the virus to thrive. Cleaning surfaces such as the dropdown tray, armrests, and even the seats (if they’re not fabric!). It’s not bad to wipe down the area around you, but it’s worth remembering that the coronavirus is not going to jump off the seat and get into your mouth.” Going back to the number one tip: stop touching your face. Viral particles must travel within mucus or saliva, so unless you’re using your hands to reach areas like your mouth and eyes, you can typically stay safe.
- Grab a window seat!
Studies show that people who have window seats are less likely to come into contact with a sick passenger. Book a window seat, try not to move too much during the flight, stay hydrated and keep your hands away from your face.
Ultimately, grabbing a window seat is not going to keep you safe from disease and viruses; however, each safety measure you take will make a difference. The most important thing is washing our hands vigilantly and correctly – and stop touching your face!
This article is originally published HERE.
