If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19 increase, says the CDC. Although you may feel fine and not have any symptoms, you could still spread COVID-19. That means you and your travel companions, including children, could potentially spread COVID-19 to your family and friends at Thanksgiving. Also, remember that, according to the CDC, it may take up to 14 days before you show symptoms of COVID-19.
Before You Travel
If you’re considering traveling for Thanksgiving, ask yourself the following CDC-recommended questions:
Have I been sick or around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days? Don’t travel if you’ve been sick, and don’t travel with anyone who is sick. The CDC offers guidelines to help you decide when to delay travel.
Is COVID-19 spreading at my destination? The more cases there are at your destination, the more likely you are to get sick and spread the virus when you return home. You can go to the CDC’s website to check each state’s cases in the past seven days or for travel recommendations for international destinations.
Is someone I live with at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19? If you get infected while traveling, you could spread the virus to a loved one when you return, even if you don’t have any symptoms.
Am I at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19? Anyone can get very sick from the virus, but older adults and people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness.
Does my destination have coronavirus-related requirements or restrictions for travelers? Some destinations require people to, for example, wear masks or stay home for up to 14 days after traveling.
Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19, but your chances of getting the virus also depend on many other factors. For example, how much social distancing and mask usage will you find if you drive or fly? Also, how much time will you be around other people? In general, the longer you are around a person with COVID-19, the more likely you are to get infected.
Here’s what the CDC says about different modes of travel:
Airplane Travel
The good news is that most viruses and other germs don’t spread easily on flights because of how air is circulated and filtered on planes. The bad news is that social distancing is tough on crowded planes, and sitting within 6 feet of other passengers, usually for hours at a time, may increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Airport terminals and security lines also may bring you into close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. In addition, public transportation and ridesharing to and from the airport can increase your risk.
Bus or Train Travel
Travel on buses or trains can involve sitting or standing within 6 feet of other passengers, which may increase the chances of getting sick. To protect yourself, avoid touching surfaces, try to social distance and clean your hands with hand sanitizer or soap and water.
Car Travel
Stops for gas, food and bathroom breaks may put you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces.
RV Travel
Traveling in an RV may mean fewer stops for food or bathroom breaks but staying in RV parks overnight and getting gas and supplies at public places may put you in close contact with people who are sick.
Staying Safe This Holiday, No Matter Where You Are
Regardless of whether you stay home, gather with a small group or travel to visit loved ones this Thanksgiving, take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. The CDC recommends that you:
Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone outside your household.
Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as phones, sinks, counters, light switches and so on.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, discard the tissue and clean your hands immediately.
Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings or with people outside your household.
Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
In addition, be sure to get a flu shot and encourage your family and friends to do the same. The current flu vaccine is the single most effective way to protect you and your family against the flu. Avoiding the flu this season is especially important because the flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms and getting both of these contagious respiratory illnesses is dangerous.
Despite COVID-19, there’s still a lot to be thankful for, this year. And know that we’re always here to support you in body, mind and spirit. Have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
These tips, provided by our research partner, AdventHealth, are available to you and others in the Lake Nona community to help make positive impacts on our health.