This holiday season will be unlike anything that most people have experienced in their lives. With cases of COVID-19 rising in many places, some are starting to batten down the hatches once again as we prepare for cold and flu season in addition to the presence of coronavirus. And while we’d like to not allow this to continue affecting our lives when we’d rather be celebrating with friends and loved ones, striking the right balance at this time can be difficult.
For those who are thinking about traveling during this time, here are three tips for traveling for family gatherings this holiday season.
Try To Isolate Before and After
A big consideration you’ll want to make when thinking about your travel plans are who you’ll be celebrating with and what type of risks you’re looking at by spending time in close proximity with one another.
To prepare for this, regardless of your assumed risk, Bridget Balch, a contributor to AAMC.org, suggests that you try to isolate for 14 days before you plan on traveling for your family gathering in addition to isolating again after you return home. This will help increase the chances of you being healthy when you get to your family gathering and of not potentially spreading anything that you could have picked up there. Especially if you’ll be visiting with people who may live in assisted living facilities or have vulnerabilities with their health, this precaution may be one that you want to suggest to your friends and loved ones.
Be Vigilant While In Transit
Many people are worried about traveling during the pandemic because they don’t want to get sick while being on an airplane. However, according to Cassie Drumm, a contributor to The Health Nexus, the time you’d spend on an airplane isn’t where your primary concern should be.
According to Dr. Michael Barnish, you should be careful whenever you’re in line to get anywhere within an airport, seated waiting for your flight, using the restroom, or anywhere else that puts you close to others. To try to keep yourself safe, make sure you’re doing things like wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, and washing or disinfecting your hands regularly.
Don’t Be Afraid To Express Your Concerns
Different people have all kinds of different concerns about the current pandemic, even within the same family. Knowing this, the Cleveland Clinic shares that before you make plans to get together with family over the holidays, you should be sure to speak openly about any concerns you do have. Only after talking with your family frankly can you have your concerns heard and try to take measures that will make everyone at your party comfortable.
If you’re considering traveling to be with your family during this holiday season, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you stay safe during this time.
Originally posted on November 10, 2020 @ 2:08 am