Limiting travel and not going to crowded places is something everyone understands during the Covid-19 outbreak with tense developments. However, there are trips that cannot be postponed for many reasons such as: work, solving problems or simply going to a safer place. And when you have to travel during a sensitive time like now, remember the following 8 ways to protect yourself and reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection to a minimum.
1. Choose a safe vehicle
If you have to travel during the epidemic, first choose the safest means of transport possible. In the case of short-distance travel, a private car is the choice that deserves top priority because of its convenience and privacy. Traveling by private car will help you avoid contact with many people and thereby minimize potential risks brought by others.
However, if you have to travel to another country or region, flying is the safest way to travel. Although it puts you in contact with many people, the fastest travel time of all means of transport will help you limit potential risks.
Authorities and authorities always set out strict regulations and standards to control epidemics on airplanes such as: medical supervision before boarding, maintaining temperature above 27oC during the flight, check passengers' temperature. Furthermore, the quarantine area is always ready to ensure safety when any suspected case is detected.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) also said that the risk of spreading the virus on an aircraft is very small. ICAO explained that the air in the aircraft cabin circulates horizontally, minimizing the spread of air vertically. Moreover, modern aircraft are always equipped with True Hepa filters that can filter over 99.95% of bacteria, viruses, dust, and particles (0.3 micrometers in size) flying in the air without the need for chemical additives, paint, or other forms of surface treatment.
2. Maintain distance
Wearing a mask or even wearing gloves when going to crowded places is often considered an effective measure by everyone. However, masks are only really effective when you are aware that you are not healthy enough, can become a source of disease and use it to prevent infection in the community. And if you use a mask, replace it immediately when the mask is no longer dry because moisture is a great environment for bacteria or viruses to operate and live well.
In fact, maintaining a safe distance is much more important than creating a safe barrier. The corona virus is quite large in size, it cannot live or float in the air, the only thing that helps it spread into the environment is in the form of droplets. Therefore, maintaining a safe distance of 2 meters when standing or not touching the face in a narrow space will help reduce the risk of infection to the maximum.
3. Wash your hands often
You’ve probably heard this advice a lot lately. The Ministry of Health has listed hand washing with soap and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as the most important measures to prevent the coronavirus.
In a small environment with contact with many people and public objects, hand washing is the most effective measure to protect the health of you and your family.
Wash your hands before eating and after touching unfamiliar surfaces, especially metal. Each time you wash your hands, you should spend at least 10 seconds so that the detergent can do its job well. In addition, carrying a bottle of antiseptic gel or hand sanitizer is also a solution to increase convenience when traveling.
4. Disinfect surfaces with alcohol
Cleaning the surfaces you will have to contact is something you should do when going to any public place. As shared above, the way Covid-19 spreads is in the form of droplets, these tiny droplets will quickly fall to the ground or flat surfaces after the source of the disease coughs or sneezes. Therefore, it is extremely important to clean and carefully clean the flat surfaces around you. From the dining table, chair armrests to the toilet door latch or the entertainment screen and handheld remote on the plane.
Medical experts recommend using alcohol-based wipes or antibacterial gels for effective disinfection. The higher the concentration, the better the ability to kill viruses or bacteria.
5. Arrive early if traveling by plane
Don't be afraid to arrive 2 to 3 hours before each flight because this will help you a lot when traveling during the epidemic season! The first benefit of arriving early is that you can check in when the airline just opens the counter, helping you avoid the crowds and rush when checking in at the counter.
The second benefit is that you have the right to choose your preferred seat before others. A window seat is also ideal to help you avoid more risks than if you sit in the middle or next to the aisle. A good seat helps you avoid active or passive contact with too many people: flight attendants walking around, asking to get in and out of seats, asking to change seats, too close communication distance... By limiting contact with many people in a short distance, you can limit contact with many harmful bacteria and viruses.
6. Limit movement and seat changes on the plane
This is probably not strange anymore, limiting movement will reduce the risk because the number of people you come into contact with will always be multiplied exponentially and grow very quickly, making it difficult to control in public places such as airports or airplanes. Similarly, not changing seats on the plane will also help you minimize the chance of contact with many strangers in a small space.
7. Turn on the air conditioner to bring in air from inside if traveling by personal car
An important rule that everyone needs to keep in mind when traveling by car during the epidemic season is to use the air conditioning system that takes air inside the car. Normally, the air conditioning system in cars usually has 2 modes: taking air inside and taking air outside. When using the air intake mode, you will limit the corona virus from entering the air from outside. According to scientists, taking air inside the car while turning on the air conditioner can help make the air inside safer when passing through areas infected with viruses or unclean air.
8. Increase resistance
The immune system plays a key role in fighting against external pathogens. Good resistance and a good immune system will help the body a lot in the battle against Covid-19.
"To increase resistance, people need to supplement enough vitamins D, A and C" - Dr. Le Quoc Hung - Head of the Tropical Department of Cho Ray Hospital said. Accordingly, supplement vitamin A by taking vitamin A regularly or eating more carrots and pumpkins; vitamin C is abundant in vegetables, tubers, and fruits, especially fruits such as guava, oranges, kiwis...; supplement vitamin D from sun exposure or from medication as required. In addition, each person should also maintain a reasonable and scientific diet and sleep regimen and supplement enough water for the body.
In addition, you can refer to the clip on 7 steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19, conducted by the Ministry of Health in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Vietnam:
