Flying has always been a risk to our health. People get jet lag, the air pressure affects their health, and in general, the germs and viruses held by other passengers mean you are likely to get sick on either your way there or on your way home. Currently, the issue is much worse, which is why you need to use this complete guide to help you stay safe when flying.
Drive Yourself to the Airport
Though taxis and car shares today have more stringent rules, including cleaning and disinfecting their vehicles between rides, those precautions are cursory. You will need to wear a mask in the vehicle, share it with a stranger, and could potentially put yourself at risk in the process. The risk becomes worse the longer you are in close proximity.
The best way to avoid this is to drive yourself to the airport or have a loved one drop you off. If driving yourself, ensure you get the best rates and reserve your parking spot in advance with ParkOn.com. That way, you have a safe and easy means to get home after your trip.
Understanding Disinfectant
Disinfectant breaks down when it hits proteins. Dirt, skin cells, sweat—all of these can nullify the germ-killing power of disinfectant unless you wash the area first. That is why it is so important to wash your hands, and why if you want to be very safe when flying, you will use soap and water to wipe down the areas you sit in and touch before using a disinfectant wipe.
Keep Your Distance
It can and will be hard to keep your distance when you are in a busy airport. In some cases, it is impossible if the airline doesn’t adhere to guidelines and instead places travelers in all the seats as normal. Though you cannot control those instances, you can keep yourself at a distance at all other times, especially if the person is sneezing or coughing.
Wear Your Mask at All Times
Masks work to help you from spreading germs to others. This way if you have the virus, you can help reduce the spread and potentially even save a life. If someone else isn’t wearing a mask, especially if they are sitting close, ask them to adhere to the guidelines and be prepared to bring in the airline personnel if they don’t comply. There is huge controversy when it comes to masks, but anything that helps slow the spread and even save lives is a worthwhile effort.
Staying Safe at Your Destination and at Home
Adhere to all the guidelines and go with the assumption that you have caught the virus, even if you don’t experience any symptoms. Around half of all cases are asymptomatic, meaning that the carriers are “super-spreaders,” because people don’t know to avoid you and you aren’t quarantining. When you get home, try to stay indoors for at least a week, and ideally two, to ensure that those around you are safe and you have had a successful and safe trip.
— Featured photo by Flickr user infomastern, Creative Commons