Covid-19: Staying safe during the pandemic
Here at Preparture, we’re always on the lookout for ways to keep you updated with the latest news in the world of travel & tourism. With life looking a little different right now though, we think it’s only right to keep you informed on how to stay safe.
If you’re worried by the panic caused by Covid-19, you’re not alone. With this novel virus making waves across the globe, we face uncertain times.
Back in January, Covid-19 wasn’t considered to be so dangerous. It was compared to the flu, just with slightly worse symptoms. Since then though, there have been reportedly 859,032 cases worldwide, with 189,455 of those cases confirmed in the US alone.
Covid-19 is a completely new virus, which left us completely unprepared for its rise. Scientists have been working around the clock to bring the world up to speed on the virus, which originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
The symptoms of Covid-19 are:
- A prolonged high fever
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of smell and taste
- A dry cough
- Tiredness
It’s easy to see why Covid-19 has been classed as being almost the same as the flu, with crossover symptoms that can take up to 14 days to appear.
However, experts are also finding evidence to suggest that the Corona virus spreads more quickly and aggressively than the flu, and while at first they urged the population to stay indoors and to postpone their travel plans for the time being, that’s since become a mandatory requirement in most countries.
Their hope is to minimize the risk faced by everyone, but most importantly, the elderly, or already sick people who may not be able to fight off the virus the same way a younger, healthier person can.
Hospitals the world over are also struggling with over-capacity. Whilst many people ignored concerns put forward by the authorities and continued to travel, hospital beds began filling up quicker than they could cure people, and that’s where the real problems began. In order to fight the virus though, there are measures we can all take to help flatten the curve and help hospitals regain control.
The impact of avoiding travel
The travel industry has been one of the most affected industries by this pandemic.
With international travel being more accessible for most people nowadays, and an influx of social media influencers showing beautiful destinations around the world in their photos and videos, the travel industry has been booming, with many people flocking all over the world to visit exotic and adventurous locations.
Packed train carriages, full planes, and bustling metros only help to spread the virus further though, and with some symptoms taking up to 14 days to appear, many ill people continued to travel, unaware that they could be carrying the virus.
International travel is the single reason the virus has been able to spread so far so quickly, and that’s why it has been almost completely prohibited for the time being.
Many of us have had to cancel travel plans or had them cancelled for us without much help or explanation as to how or when we can get our money back. That’s because travel companies, hotels and airlines simply don’t know what the future holds. In times like these, it’s impossible to predict when we’ll be able to travel again.
This has left a lot of people angry and upset at their loss of money and freedom. The most important message right now though is that you should not be traveling under any circumstance. The faster we help minimize the spread of this virus, the faster we can get back to exploring the world.
How can I help stop the spread of Covid-19?
Stay at home and self-isolate
The most important way that you can make a difference is to stay inside. As annoying as that is, it’s an important and highly effective way of slowing down the spread of the virus.
Crowds are the perfect breeding spot for a virus of this caliber, which takes planes, trains and buses off the table immediately. And all those tourist traps where crowds gather? These are all perfect places for the virus to multiply. Those coughs and sneezes that we don’t usually pay too much attention to suddenly become the perfect opportunity for this virus to spread.
You should stay indoors if you show any signs of illness, even if you don’t think you have Corona.
Check your government’s guidelines for exact procedures. Whilst some countries and cities aren’t on total lockdown and allow one walk a day for fresh air and exercise, others are ensuring that stricter rules like full lockdowns are adhered to, and you could even face a fine if found outside in a group.
Keep a distance of at least 5 meters
Unfortunately, many of us aren’t lucky enough to be able to work from home, so self-isolation isn’t always possible.
If you’re in this predicament, you should keep at least 1.5 meters away from others in the vicinity. The further back you can be, the better, as the virus likes to travel via droplets of air.
If you do have to be out and about, go alone, or only with people who live in your household. Definitely do not travel in a group, especially with people outside your immediate family.
Wash your hands regularly
Now more than ever, we’re being told to practice good hygiene, and, whilst most of us do this without even thinking about it, washing our hands regularly will ensure that any possible bacteria left behind on our hands will be washed away.
We’re suddenly aware of just everything we touch on a daily basis, especially out in public. Door handles, phones, each other… there are so many ways for the virus to reach us. Washing our hands for at least 20 seconds is said to be one of the best ways to ensure minimal spread.
Cough into your elbow, or cover your face with a tissue
Capture germs by coughing into your elbow, or straight into a tissue. This reduces the build-up of bacteria on your hands, which is important, especially if you can’t wash them straight away. It also drastically decreases your bacteria from traveling through the air and contaminating someone else.
Whilst we face some uncertain times ahead, it’s important to stick to the rules to ensure that yourself and others don’t get sick.
We’ll be back next week with more information for you on how to deal with these trying times, but for now, from all of us at team Preparture, stay safe and stay home.
