5 Tips For Taking Precautions To Limit Exposure
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Writer
With cruise ships being denied docking in several countries, people being placed in quarantine, and, sadly, even deaths, the Coronavirus is a serious issue and travelers need to be informed about it and on the alert during their travelers.
There is some good news, tho, and that is there are some very easy steps travelers can take to protect themselves from the disease. Here are five tips for taking precautions to avoid coming in contact with the Coronavirus.
1.) Wear Gloves , Not A Mask
If you’re going to be wearing something for protection, make it gloves rather than a mask. The germs are spread more easily and often from your own hands coming in contact with your mouth.
Coronavirus is spread through direct or indirect contact with people who have the disease. It doesn’t go from one person to another without this, so doctors advise to stand five feet away from people who are coughing or sneezing. If you do inadvertently come into contact with any of the sneezing spray, then immediately go wash off those areas and in the meantime, avoid putting your hands or any other parts of your body near your face or mouth. Once the virus gets into you, then you are susceptible to catching it.
Tip: When in a public place, always spot out the location of the bathrooms in case you need to go in one to wash your hands. A quick-fix solution is to have handi-wipes with you. Or at least a napkin, paper towel or other a similar product like a handkerchief.
3.) Ball Up Your Hand Into A Fist When Opening Doors & Using Handrails
I do this whenever possible anyway. I prefer to have objects like that touch the outside of my hand, not the inside.That’s because the inside of your hand more often comes in contact with the area around your mouth, and that’s how germs are spread to your body. When I encounter a door I can push open, rather than it having a knob, I’ll sometimes lean my shoulder into it or use my foot to open it, rather than with my hand. Going a step further, when at a crosswalk with a light I push the button on the pole with a knuckle rather than a finger.
Tip: If you lean your shoulder or use your foot to open a door, do it gently. There may be someone on the other side of it.
4.) Wash Your Hands After Touching Handrails, Doorknobs, Etc.
The Coronavirus is spread by having the germ get inside your body, and it does this through the mouth. So it only stands to reason that you should wash your hands after touching objects in public. Handrails and doorknobs and even parts of park benches, which are touched by a lot of people, are prime areas for germs. So after coming in contact with these things, wash your hands.
4a.) Wash Your Hands Before Eating
You should do this anyway, but it’s particularly important now.
5.) Be Careful When Shaking Hands With People
You never know where one’s hands have been and germs are often spread through the palms of hands. If the person is hacking or sneezing, try and do a fist-bump rather than shaking hands. And if you’re ready to sit down and eat, then excuse yourself to the restroom to – you got it – wash your hands.
BONUS TIP: Be In Good Physical Shape
This is too late to help you now, but for future health issues, be sure you are in decent shape. The better shape your in, the better your body will naturally be able to fit off illnesses.
This will help you in all your travels, too, regardless of the situation.
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