If you are flying, a TSA-compliant pandemic essentials bag (with an extra set of clothes to change into when you de-plane) can help minimize risk, experts say.
Know your airline’s in-flight policies (like required masks, for example), read cancellation and booking policies, and—to reduce risk—choose airlines that are leaving middle seats open (such as Delta), suggests Amin. Consider travel insurance, too, in the event that someone gets sick. Download boarding passes to your phone and check bags to reduce touch points in the airport and the cabin, she adds.
7. Pack a pandemic essentials bag
Stock up on your pandemic essentials well in advance, knowing that shortages and long-lead times for delivery are possible. Staples should include hand sanitizer, face masks, disinfecting wipes, health insurance cards, a thermometer, latex gloves (for one-time use in public spaces), and hand soap, says Ungerleider. If you’re driving, bring enough snacks and drinks with you to prevent unnecessary stops.
And remember: Hand sanitizer can be flammable, says Nerurkar. “Take the hand sanitizer out with you when you’re getting out of the car, especially when there’s hot summer sun.”
8. Plan outdoor activities
This summer, planning—and booking ahead—is everything. When plotting out your itinerary, opt for outdoor activities, and know that things like landmarks, destination restaurants, and other attractions might be closed or unsafe right now. (Experts generally recommend skipping indoor activities, like museums, for the time being.) Hours may also be limited, and reservations may be required for crowd control. But there are plenty of ways to keep family members entertained in the outdoors: camp, hike, bike, spend time at a quiet beach, or visit a nearby National Park. “Overall, for travel this summer, trips that emphasize time outdoors are the safest,” says Chia Wang, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle.
9. Prepare children for staying safe
Travel is a means to teach children about the world and the people around them. But this summer, conversations with strangers aren’t so simple. “Prior to traveling, speak to your child about the importance of physical distancing, hand washing, and wearing a mask,” suggests Amin. To prepare your kids for the different protocols that this summer’s vacation might bring, play a game beforehand and act out how your journey will stand out from past ones.
Children respond to guidance, and explaining the whys and leading by example matters, she says. Mid-trip, don’t panic over an accidental hug your child gives a new friend, either. “Gently remind them later how to protect themselves and others from germs,” suggest. Amin. Children will still be children, even in a pandemic, but taking advantage of learning opportunities will benefit the entire family.
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The Link LonkJuly 24, 2020 at 03:23AM
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