How to stay safe when flying in COVID-19 season? As for other public transports, what should you do to avoid spreading germs?
Headache about moving season COVID-19
Public transport - place containing many pathogens
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the new strain Corona virus is highly likely to spread through the droplet route. They also have the ability to enter the body through body parts such as the nose or mouth when in close contact with an infected person. However, a person without symptoms can still spread the disease (albeit very low). Or you could also become infected by touching potentially pathogenic surfaces. For example, doorknobs are not cleaned after being touched by an infected person.
Most Coronavirus infections have only mild symptoms and recover quickly. But the ability to spread and infect people more susceptible to complications like the elderly is unexpected. Travel by plane, train or bus certainly cannot be exclusive. To best minimize the risk, we studied the recommendations of the CDC and WHO as well as discussed further with virologists and epidemiologists.
Moving in the Corona period
The following tips are for reducing your own exposure to the virus. Ideally at this point we should prioritize public health over travel. If you do not feel well yourself or are suspected of being exposed, limit your movement. Even if your risk of a severe illness is low, you can unintentionally spread the virus to an unaffected area or one that does not qualify for large numbers of patients if affected. . Consider moving forward if not absolutely necessary.
"The situation will get more complicated in the next few months," said Professor Ann Marie Kimball, MD, MPH, professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health. “We must eliminate this plague. This will contribute to reducing the pressure on an overloaded health system. That is everyone's responsibility. ”
12 notes when traveling (train, bus, plane, ...) COVID-19 season
Public transport is easy to spread germs. The current COVID-19 epidemic season also makes you more hesitant to move, whether by any means. So how do you protect yourself if you have to travel by public transport?
If you must travel during the Covid-19 season, follow these tips.
Follow travel advice from sources such as CDC and WHO
Unless circumstances require, do not travel to areas around the world that are affected by the Corona virus. Currently the CDC recommends not traveling to different countries in Europe (including Italy), Iran, South Korea and China. Regardless of your age or medical condition if not required, including transit in those countries. The US Department of State has recommended avoiding going abroad at this stage.
If you are traveling to some areas where the virus spreads quickly, be aware that CDC is asking people to return from these countries:
Quarantine yourself two weeks after returning home
Avoid contact with other people
Do not use public transport, taxis or carpooling
Keep your distance from others at least 2 meters
The aim is to prevent accidentally passing the new Corona virus to others if you have become sick while traveling.
Viruses are still spreading and new cases are being discovered every day. So be sure to check the CDC COVID-19 information before any upcoming trip. You need to see if there are new limitations or recommendations. Also make sure you are prepared for quarantine when you return. You can also follow WHO's international travel advice. Dr. Kimball says it's important to consider these tips when you're planning your move.
Limit movement both at home and abroad
The CDC does not give clear instructions on canceling all tours to all even domestic destinations. However, people with a high risk of complications with the Corona virus should exercise extra caution. .
People over the age of 60 or with chronic illnesses should avoid crowds and public transport. The CDC also recommends that those in high-risk groups avoid air and sea travel.
Certain chronic conditions increase your risk of complications with COVID-19:
Heart disease
Diabetes or endocrine disorders
Lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema
Chronic kidney disease
Liver disease such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis
Pregnant or have been pregnant within the past two weeks
Metabolic disorder
Diseases related to nerves and neurodevelopmental such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, stroke, muscular dystrophy, etc.
If you are over 60 and are concerned about how COVID-19 might affect your health, consult your doctor.
Wash your hands properly and often
You've heard this a million times, but we still want to repeat: Wash your hands. Very much. And wash properly.
It's hard to give specific information on exactly how often you should wash your hands when you're traveling on public transport. It depends on what you are exposed to. It is best to tailor the CDC's recommendations to your particular situation.
The CDC recommends that you wash your hands after being in any public place. So the moment you get off a bus, plane, subway or even Uber, wash your hands. You should also wash your hands before eating, wash your hands after a runny nose, cough, or sneeze. If you have touched many surfaces that are heavily touched by other people (handrails), wash your hands as soon as possible.
Avoid touching your face while traveling during COVID-19 season
The virus enters the body through the nose, mouth and eyes. Therefore, do not touch your face with unwashed hands. "Our hands are a terrible viral carrier," said microbiologist Rodney Rohde, PhD, MS, president and professor of clinical laboratory science at Texas State University.
“I put my hands in my jeans or coat to keep my hands away from my face,” said Roh Rohde. Again and again, you will train your muscle memory to put your hands down. ”Touching public surfaces in general also needs to be more careful. You can use your elbow to press the lift button in the airport. Or wrap a tissue around the train station restroom door handle. Even if you touch your face, your hands can have less bacteria.
Wipe transit surfaces thoroughly before touching them
To protect yourself from the new strain of Corona virus, the CDC recommends cleaning frequently touched surfaces regularly. Examples include phones, tray tables, touch screens and armrests. If you are going to rest your head against something like an airplane or bus window, wipe it. If possible, wipe off any surfaces you use for balance on public transport. Especially metal bars on buses or plastic rings on trains.
What substance should be used for cleaning? "Alcohol-based cleaning products and diluted bleaches can kill viruses." That is shared by Brandon Brown, MPH, Ph.D., epidemiologist at the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside. Most household disinfectants registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be effective, according to the CDC. There is also a list of EPA-approved disinfectant products that can act against COVID-19.
Be careful of touching your face even after disinfecting them. And if you have a chance, wash your hands and fly COVID-19 season.
Use dry hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available
You can't always find soap and water to wash your hands. So, prepare yourself a dry hand sanitizer. "Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol," said Angela Angela Rasmussen, Ph.D., virologist and associate researcher at Mailman School of Public Health. The CDC also recommends: use a hand sanitizer containing 60% to 95% alcohol.
If riding a bus or train and keep the handrails on, clean your hands when getting off the bus. Don't forget to make sure you wash your hands before touching your face or food. If you are sitting by a window on an airplane and want to wash your hands, you can use this solution. This action will also not disturb those sitting inside every time they want to wash their hands.
Be sure to use the correct amount of solution as directed and allow your hands to dry. Since the supply may be limited where you go, bring hand sanitizer with you. Or paper towels and other toiletries are also a good suggestion.
Avoid using disposable medical gloves
Medical professionals wear gloves when treating patients after all, right? Yes, but there are a few differences here.
"The gloves will create a barrier between the hands and the contaminated surface," says Rasmussen. "That barrier stops working when touching the face or eating while wearing gloves. According to experts, touching the face is exactly what is likely to happen. The reason is because people generally do not use gloves. hand properly.
If you wear gloves to protect yourself from flying during the COVID-19 season, remember:
Remove gloves each time before doing something like touching your face or eating
Then, you put on a new pair of gloves right away. Do not touch any public surfaces with bare hands.
Never touch any part of old glove that will come into contact with the public surface
Experts say this is not very convenient for most people. Wearing disposable gloves can cause a false sense of security. You will be more likely to scratch your nose right after touching the doorknob in airports.
Healthcare staff are people who really need and know how to use gloves properly. They are very lacking in gloves. WHO reports that the global glove supply is currently in serious shortage. Panic trading has led to this. "If you don't work in the medical industry, there's no reason you would wear medical gloves," Brown said. "Instead, wash your hands often with soap and water and avoid touching your face."
Avoid people who openly cough or sneeze
If you notice someone coughing or sneezing, stay away from that person. You will avoid getting the flu or any other infectious disease, including COVID-19. The CDC notes that the virus can spread at about 2 meters. Brown suggests that it is better to stay further if possible. After staying away, wash your hands or use a dry hand sanitizer.
Remember: stay away from people with symptoms, not race. There is much overt and exclusionary racism among people of Asian descent. Virus was first detected in China, there is absolutely no reason to distinguish. New cases of COVID-19 appear to be more frequent. Every day there are cases of infection in many races across the United States and the world. So avoiding people based on their race will not only be discriminatory, but also ineffective.
Use a mask only in certain situations
Many people have bought surgical masks or N95 respirators into their emergency kit. The CDC and WHO have confirmed that masks are not necessary for healthy people. Only the sick and those taking care of the sick should really use the mask. The surgical mask and the N95 mask are in short supply. As a result, those who need them (health care workers) are in need.
Full vaccination
There is no vaccine available for the new Corona virus. Getting enough other vaccines can keep you as healthy as possible. This also indirectly contributes to more healing conditions for people with COVID-19. Rohde recommends that you make sure that you are up to date on influenza and measles vaccines in particular. Your immune system will be strengthened. This will contribute to saving hospital beds and doctors.
Be patient and adhere to health monitoring seriously
This is exactly what you can do to avoid the Corona virus on an airplane, train or bus. If you do travel, 12 things to keep in mind when flying COVID-19 season. Dr. Kimball said that health checks should be replicated at airports and other tourist centers. If that happens, it is important for the traveler to comply. “People are really getting more upset when queuing up for security checks. And one of the most important things is that tourists have to be patient and cooperative, ”she said. Everyone is trying to do their best.
If nothing is absolutely necessary, limit your movements. When traveling by bus, train or plane in the COVID-19 season, don't forget the 12 notes above! We wish we all healthily through this pandemic!
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