Here are 7 tips from the doctor on how to fly safely

Now that the lockdown is relaxed, and restrictions on travel have been lifted, people can now go where they want. However, it is now mandated upon the citizen to take full responsibility for his safety from the virus. Some doctors have made it a point of duty to educate people on how to stay safe during this pandemic when taking a flight.

Before taking a flight, it is essential to know your status by taking the COVID test for travel London. You can have your test at our clinic, Blood London or any other clinic around you.

This virus is highly infectious. Three modes by which you can contract it:

• By direct contact with the infected person
• By contact with the respiratory droplets of a person with the infection which acts like ballistic
• Through airborne routes: Here, people inhale the suspended aerosols or very tiny droplets of the virus in the atmosphere.

However, there can be a lower risk of contracting the virus when on a plane. Here is what we mean. The air in the aircraft is cleaner and is then changed in every four minutes. The air in the aircraft passes through extremely hot engines before being cooled and put under pressure. This air is fresher than the one produced by your air conditioner since it changes in every four minutes, which is far better than what your air conditioner does.

In a situation where the virus is present in the air contained in the cabin, you will be safe from it. This is because there is a 95% chance that it will leave with the filter. Also, a respirator mask will prevent you from inhaling it. For the virus that does not exist in the form of droplets, we do not know if they can still be infectious. This is probably because we believe that they have dried out and have become inactive.

There are guidelines form the government for people to wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their face with their hands, some airlines even demand that their passengers wear a covering on their face during the flight. These are helpful but not so much as wearing a mask will not protect you so much because it can still allow some particles of the virus when the person coughing or sneezing is very close to you especially in an airtight vessel. The mask can only be useful to protect others when you cough or sneeze in case you are an asymptomatic patient.

Here are seven things you can do to maximise your safety on an aeroplane.

• Use an N95 respirator mask

This mask is effective in filtering out at least 95% of airborne particles, even those as small as 0.3 microns. However, the purchase of this mask is not available to the public, as it is what doctors and nurses use. Also, the CDC wants to ensure it goes round for the medical team during this pandemic. Also, it cannot be used by anyone with facial hair. As a replacement, you can use an elastomeric respirator. This device is reusable, and it has cartridge filters.

• Wear goggles

Aside from protecting yourself from the particles that can get into your nose, you should also use goggles to protect your eyes. You can also get infected when your eyes are exposed to the virus.

• Put on the overhead jet air so that the air can be circulated

There is a higher chance for a person to be infected when the virus gets into stagnant air. Put on the overhead jet air so that it can push down the stagnant air towards the floor and reduce your chances of getting infected.

• Stay away from people

You can avoid people by taking very early morning flights or using a redeye. If you are buoyant enough, you can pay for the business or first-class ticket. Here, you will have enough space to yourself without many people around.

• Take short flights

Your risk will increase if you stay in the same plane with an infected person for an extended period. So, since you do not know the people that will be on the plane with you, you should choose flights with shorter duration and choose more spacious seats with a business class ticket if you must go on a long journey.

• Carry your hand sanitiser

 Your hands will regularly get dirty as the respiratory droplets land on everything, including your hands. Also, you should use the sanitiser when you have touched a thing and avoid touching your face when your hands are dirty.

There may be hand sanitisers provided on the aircraft, but you will need more to use in every 20 minutes as directed by health bodies. You cannot depend on the general sanitiser for that.

• Carry your sanitising wipes

If you think you will need the drop-down trays, it is wise to carry the sanitising wipes. They will help you stay safe. Some airlines have high safety standards and ensure every surface is wiped on the plane before the passengers arrive, but you will still need to clean by yourself in order not to take chances.

If you think there is so much hassle to stay safe on a plane, you can reconsider taking the journey with your car. However, you will have to switch to observing the laid out guideline for road travel. You will wash your hands and use a face mask when you want to step out of the car. However, if there are others in the vehicle, your chances of getting the virus will increase.

So, if there will be another person in the car with you, consider wearing the mask and opening one or two windows. That way, the breeze will blow out any aerosolised particle of the virus.

Know that you can trust us for your COVID test for travel. Our staff are diligent, and you can rest with our expertise. Book an appointment with us.