YOU’D BEEN LOOKING FORWARD to your family’s summertime getaway all year long. You went over the travel itinerary in your mind a thousand times, confirmed every conceivable reservation, memorized all the pertinent roadmaps, and assembled all the necessary recreational gear. But then a funny thing happened on the road to vacation bliss: COVID-19 reared its ugly head and put the kibosh on your travel plans.
That was the situation for millions of Americans at this time last year. With the global pandemic in full swing, people, by and large, were scarcely leaving their homes, let alone traveling across the country or around the world on summer getaways. Today, thanks to the advent of several effective vaccines, COVID infections are declining nationwide and restrictions are beginning to ease. Observing these hopeful trends, many people are ready to resume summer travel and make up for lost time.
However, if vacationing is on your agenda, keep in mind that COVID isn’t the only illness that can sabotage your plans. There are plenty of other “bugs” out there that can put a serious damper on your family fun. Here are some simple precautions you and your family can take to help keep sickness at bay when you travel:
Research the COVID scenario at your destination
Since the COVID pandemic is still ongoing and the infection rate can vary considerably from one locale to another, let’s start with the most obvious health concern. Well before departure, be sure to research the state of affairs vis-à-vis the virus and any associated restrictions at your destination. Be aware that when traveling to other countries, you may need to comply with certain requirements before being allowed entry, such as presenting a negative COVID test (acquired within a specific timeframe) or proof of vaccination. In addition, there may be quarantine requirements with which to comply. Also, be sure to pack enough masks or any other required PPE to last the entire trip for everyone in the family.
Pack your prescriptions!
Making sure you pack any prescription medications and that you have sufficient quantities of them to get you through the entire trip should be a high priority when preparing for your vacation. If you forget and leave home without them, you may not have much luck getting hold of them at your destination—especially when traveling abroad.
See your doctor ahead of time
Even if you’re feeling perfectly fine, scheduling a medical checkup for a few weeks ahead of departure is a good idea. Your doctor can verify that all of your immunizations are up to date, advise you of any illnesses that might be prevalent at your chosen destination, and recommend or prescribe a therapy to stave off motion/seasickness. In addition, he or she might be willing to prescribe emergency medications that you can take in the event of illness on your trip.
De-stress before you depart
Summer travel is fun and exciting, but it can also be highly stressful. Before you even hit the road, there’s all the pressure of packing and getting caught up at work to deal with. In the last few days before departure, relaxation and restful sleep usually take a back seat to last-minute preparations, which can compromise your immune system and leave you vulnerable to the first “bug” you come into contact with on your journey. Of course, you might also have to contend with the stress of delayed or canceled flights, detours or delays en route, lost hotel reservations, mechanical problems with your car, etc., etc.
The best antidote to travel stress is to anticipate problems and begin your preparation well in advance of departure. Give yourself at least two weeks to make sure your vehicle has been inspected and cleared for long-distance travel, your lodging and other reservations are confirmed, all of your family’s clothing has been laundered, you’re aware of any major construction or detours on your route, any outstanding projects at work have been completed, any issues related to home security have been addressed, and the mail and newspaper have been stopped or forwarded (or you’ve arranged for someone to bring them in for you). With the possible exception of a small overnight bag for each family member, try not to postpone packing until the day before you leave.
Tame your itinerary
Sure, summer vacation comes around but once a year (for most of us, anyway), but that doesn’t mean you have to fill every waking moment with sightseeing, shopping, waterskiing, bar hopping, and other activities just so you don’t miss anything at your destination. Be sure to build some time into your itinerary every day to unwind, relax, recuperate, and, of course, sleep. An hour just relaxing on your hotel balcony each morning or right before bed will be time well spent.
Don’t drink the water!
It’s the oldest travel adage in the book, but it still holds true, especially when you consider the fact that in many countries, drinking-water-purification standards and protocols trail way behind our own. It’s important to drink plenty of water on vacation to avoid dehydration, but if you have any question about the quality of the water at your destination, make sure it’s bottled, not from the tap. Also, avoid brushing your teeth with tap water or using ice cubes made with tap water. These simple oversights can have serious repercussions on your health.
Eat wisely
Fast-food burgers, fries, and soda pop are convenient road-trip fare, but those greasy foods and carbonated beverages can really wreak havoc on your digestive system when you’re cramped up in a car for a long period. Rather than risk an upset stomach, why not take along a cooler packed with healthy snacks, sandwiches, and bottled water? It’s just as convenient and will help to keep your body energized and your immune system revved up.
When traveling outside the US, eating wisely can take on a whole new meaning. For example, while we’re conditioned to think of raw fruits and vegetables and certain dairy products as healthy choices, you eat them at your own risk while traveling abroad. Also, in locales with lax food-inspection standards, eating foods served up by local street vendors might just be asking for a serious food-borne illness.
Don’t spare the hand sanitizer
Popular tourist attractions—museums, theme parks, water parks, zoos, etc.—are, by their very nature, “well-traveled ground.” That means you should assume any surfaces in such places have been exposed to more than their share of microbes. To avoid catching whatever previous visitors’ might have been carrying, try to keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes. Also, remember to wash your hands regularly. In situations where soap and water aren’t readily accessible, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer handy and give each family member a squirt after your visit. Many tourist attractions make an effort to provide hand-sanitizer dispensers on their premises for visitor convenience. Take advantage of them! Of course, in this era of COVID, most of us are already practicing pretty good hand hygiene.
