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Home » Tips » Five Ways I Protect Myself Against Coronavirus As I Travel The World
Tips

Five Ways I Protect Myself Against Coronavirus As I Travel The World

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 28, 2020November 14, 2023 20 Comments

As the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus continues to spread, raising more alarms, my international travel has not slowed. Here are five things I am doing to minimize my chances of getting sick while traveling.

First, let me say what I am not doing. At this point, I have chosen not to wear a mask when I travel. Masks are much more helpful at stopping your sickness from being passed on than from avoiding it from others. While I don’t wholly discount the effectiveness of masks, I have chosen…at least for now…to avoid them.

Let me also state at the outset that I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.

In This Post:

Toggle
  • 1. Hand Sanitizer + Washing Hands
  • 2. Avoid Touching Germ Hotspots Like Security Bins
  • 3. Wipe Down Gym Equipment In Hotels
  • 4. Get Plenty Of Sleep
  • 5. Avoid The Cup At Communion/Eucharist/Mass (Don’t Share Food)
  • CONCLUSION

1. Hand Sanitizer + Washing Hands

a person washing their hands in a sink

Hand sanitizer alone is not enough; it is helpful and I carry it around, but hot water is also an important part in battling germs.

I’m washing my hands a lot more than before, and a lot more thoroughly than before. 

I always wash my hands after using the restroom, but I didn’t always wait for the water to warm up. Now I wait or find another faucet.

I bring my own liquid soap because I am pretty particular about smells and hate the soap at many airports (and airport lounges). My preference is Aesop. Before, I used to skip soap if I found the smell offensive.

2. Avoid Touching Germ Hotspots Like Security Bins

Airport Viruses

One of the biggest cestpools of germs are on the security bins we place our hand luggage in when going through airport security. These are very rarely sanitized and handled multiple times throughout the day.

I really hate touching these altogether, but when that is unavoidable I will only touch it in one spot (the lower left corner) and disinfect my hands after. If you’ve forgotten to take your own hand sanitizer, look around the security checkpoint. Many airports offer this as a courtesy to passengers, especially now.

I will also avoid touching all doors in airport restrooms and never touch the toilet flushing handles when not automatic.


> Read More: Airport Security Trays Carry More Viruses Than Toilet Seats


3. Wipe Down Gym Equipment In Hotels

a yellow ball on a mat

You never know how often gym equipment is wiped down at hotels. I start and end each workout by wiping the machines I use down with the wipes that are present at any respectable hotel gym.

While a sick person may not be likely to workout, with the extended incubation period for COVID-19 it makes sense to to take this extra precaution when you are about to handle shared equipment. I do the same for free weights and dumbbells.

4. Get Plenty Of Sleep

a person's feet on a bed

Our immune systems become weaker when we do not give our bodies adequate rest. I’m one who doesn’t need much sleep to operate. Not that I don’t aim for eight hours of sleep each night, but that if I don’t get it I can still function normally during the day.

But I’m forcing myself to sleep…even when there is work to be done. Our body is our best source of protection and the body requires sleep to unlock its restorative effects.

5. Avoid The Cup At Communion/Eucharist/Mass (Don’t Share Food)

a group of silver goblets with wine next to a book

Wherever I am in the world, I still make it a point to attend church on Sundays.

One of the great joys in many Christian traditions is taking communion together, often in a common chalice. While a common cup is something that I greatly value as a symbol of unity, I’ve been dipping lately (it’s formally called intinction).

Now that may not be much better if one person contaminates the cup, but I notice everyone seems to be dipping or avoiding the cup altogether…I think it makes sense during this time while not abandoning the practice. 

Perhaps a more general principle is don’t share food right now…

CONCLUSION

Note that these sorts of precautions, save perhaps the last one, should be exercised always, not just because of coronavirus concerns. I’m quite pleased to report that I have not had one cold (yet) this season, despite very frequent travel. Last year I was sick most of winter and spring (no joke…ask my Award Expert clients).

I have chosen, at least thus far, not to worry about coronavirus. There is work to be done, places to see, and life to be lived.

But I have made adjustments. I’m also trying hard not to touch my face. For what it’s worth, this is what I am doing.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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20 Comments

  1. Dan Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    One thing I recommend with bins is put as few things in them as possible.

    Put all loose things like your wallet, phone, and jacket into your bag instead of putting it in contact with the bin. Not only is it more sanitary, it can save you time if you do this while you are waiting in line.

    • Matthew Reply
      February 28, 2020 at 3:02 pm

      Good tip. Better than those little bowls covered in germs.

      • PolishKnight Reply
        March 2, 2020 at 2:07 pm

        “I will also avoid touching all doors in airport restrooms and never touch the toilet flushing handles when not automatic.”

        This is probably you:
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APTlLl_UV94
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvLHliGCcGU

        A nurse friend gave me a tip based upon how medical personnel handle the problem: They use a dry paper towel to touch faucets. I suppose the same goes for doors (which I also use.) I just hold onto the paper towel until I find a trash can.

        I chuckle at avoiding touching the toilet handle. Using the paper seat cover is a pain and then you’re still touching stuff to sit down (the lavatory stall door handle, etc.) I consider my hands contaminated with my, and other’s germs until I engage in hand washing anyway so why fret about it to that point?

        Leaving the lavatory, even if I avoid the door I still will probably touch something Mr “don’t wash my hands” touches later: the elevator button, the railing on the escalator, etc.

        Rather than masks, perhaps the best investment would be washable cloth gloves with an abrasive surface on the left hand (to discourage you from touching your face with it.) Turn them inside out and wash daily.

  2. Trancecontinental Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 3:52 pm

    Thanks for this article.

    I was supposed to be in Milan this week and China next week. Both cancelled.

    I have several international trips planned in the next 2 months, so I will be following this protocol, too, unless those locations turn into hot spots.

    BTW, I commend you for actively following your faith, even on the road. I do the same.

  3. debit Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    The best you can do is limit any new contacts. For some this means not going out of the house, for some it means wearing masks.

    Washing hands and wiping any surfaces you touch regularly is also one of them. Traveling salesman should refrain from picking up call girls for a few months. This is usually a problem in the month of and after lent. All these religious hypocrites telling people about morality while living and partaking in sin.

  4. Greg Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    Prepared food is the one I haven’t quite figured out

    The cruise ship outbreaks were like norovirus which typically spreads via food handling

  5. Pete Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 8:04 pm

    So you’re one of those that’ll let the bins pile up because you won’t return them to the stack.
    Haha just kidding…

    • Matthew Reply
      February 28, 2020 at 8:50 pm

      I am one of those guys.

  6. debit Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 8:36 pm

    Also don’t forget to disinfect your phone screens. In mild warm soap water dip the phone for a few minutes and wipe it.

    • Matthew Reply
      February 28, 2020 at 8:51 pm

      Cute.

  7. Billy Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 8:56 pm

    The best defense against germs is a strong offence. I procatively lick all the items you list – my immunity is at its most powerful!

    The eucharist is free wine.

  8. Paolo Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 9:20 pm

    The average person touches their face 2000+ times a day. I might have guessed 50 , but google says 2-3000, FWIW.

  9. debit Reply
    February 28, 2020 at 9:25 pm

    If there are widespread deaths in the US due to this virus and it is found it is because of lack of health insurance of peopl can republicans be tried and then hanged for crimes against humanity? I think all republican law makers would be fair game for being tried.

  10. Howard Reply
    February 29, 2020 at 9:29 am

    So if a toilet doesn’t have automatic flush, what do you do?

    • Matthew Reply
      February 29, 2020 at 9:37 am

      Elbow.

  11. YoniPDX Reply
    February 29, 2020 at 11:40 am

    About six months ago we started packing Clorox wipes in a ziplock that goes in personal/carry-on.

    Wipe Seat belt release, arm rest, tray latch, IFE screen/controls. tray front and back and if window seat – around window and screen lift handle.

  12. YULtide Reply
    February 29, 2020 at 12:36 pm

    Intinction is not recommended. By touching the host you have contaminated it before you dip it in the wine. Also, you are likely to touch the rim of the chalice with your contaminated hand and/or touch the wine with your contaminated fingers. Not good for the next person. Please don’t.

    For further reading: https://www.anglican.ca/ask/faq/common-cup/

  13. MeanMeosh Reply
    February 29, 2020 at 10:05 pm

    First of all, THANK YOU for a rational, non-sensationalized post on this topic. Don’t forget that your cell phone is one of the biggest offenders in the germ department. It’s probably not a bad idea to wipe the case down once a day or so. Also keep it in your pocket when not in use instead of on the table, etc.

    Honestly, though, the concern I have isn’t necessarily getting sick, but the risk of getting caught in a quarantine somewhere. It only takes one idiot on your flight lying about where they’ve been, or about not being sick, to leave you subject to the whims of the immigration authorities of wherever you end up. Or for that matter, coughing or sneezing at the wrong time in front of an overzealous flight crew or immigration agent. It’s for that reason I’m avoiding frivolous trips abroad for a few months until the hysteria dies down.

  14. James Reply
    March 1, 2020 at 11:39 pm

    In Milwaukee, they told me to put my shoes on the belt rather than in the bin. It’s absurd that we are still taking off shoes in 2020 — they don’t require this in Europe or Latin America, even before flights to the United States — and it’s positively disgusting and a health risk that we are forced to put our shoes inside the bins. TSA should implement a policy where shoes *go on the belt* and stay out of the bins where we put stuff like mobile phones, medicine, and wallets.

  15. Julian Reply
    March 2, 2020 at 3:28 am

    I also have an issue with the trays at security, but disinfecting your hands only after doesn’t help you touching your stuff which has also touched the same tray. How do people manage that?

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