COVID travel mitigations
August 30, 2021 10:39 AM Subscribe
What can I do to mitigate the risk of traveling (long-haul travel, developing country) during COVID?
I just found out that I will need to travel for work in mid-September. This trip is necessary, important, and worthwhile - I am not asking whether I should go. However, I am hoping the hive mind can help me think through anything and everything I can do to protect myself and those around me while I travel.
I will be traveling to a developing country, and will be in transit for probably 25-30 hours each direction. My destination is currently rated as a Level 3 country by the CDC for COVID risk, although most of its neighboring countries (one of which I'll need to transit through) are at Level 4. The trip itself will involve a lot of meetings (presumably masked and indoors) and some warehouse-based work. I'll be staying in an upscale urban hotel. I expect that many people I interact with will not be vaccinated, because this country has only received a relatively small number of vaccines thus far.
I am late-20s, healthy, vaccinated (2x Pfizer). I usually work from home and will be extra cautious in the lead-up to the trip, especially because it would be super-extra-bad if I ended up having to cancel due to illness. I will be tested before travel in both directions due to legal requirements.
Here is what I'm planning on doing:
*consistent mask-wearing, of course (with good masks - N95s for travel, N95s or double-masking during rest of trip)
*social distancing where possible
*bring my own food for the flight (at least on the outward direction) so that I can stagger mealtimes and wear my mask while others are eating
*outdoor meals and/or take-out meals wherever possible
*using one consistent taxi driver whenever possible, opening windows in car (and minimizing car trips, although it is difficult in the city where I will be)
*general good health practices - sleep, exercise, vegetables, regular travel medicine stuff
*taking vitamin D supplements before and during travel; also, ensuring I get outdoors regularly for natural vitamin D (and fighting jetlag)
*skipping housekeeping services, at least as much as the hotel will let me, and airing out my room after they do come
*preparations in case I do feel ill or get covid: bringing an antigen self test kit, a thermometer, and basic medications with me for personal use if needed; mentally prepare back-up plan in case I end up needing to quarantine/stay longer there
*high-quality travel medical insurance including 24/7 call-a-doctor services and medevac coverage (employer always requires this anyways)
*potentially: brief quarantine and take a second test after I return to the US
Hivemind: any ideas to things I can add to that list to maximize protection for myself and those around me? I am aware that this is not a low-risk activity, but I'm committed to minimizing risk however I can.
I just found out that I will need to travel for work in mid-September. This trip is necessary, important, and worthwhile - I am not asking whether I should go. However, I am hoping the hive mind can help me think through anything and everything I can do to protect myself and those around me while I travel.
I will be traveling to a developing country, and will be in transit for probably 25-30 hours each direction. My destination is currently rated as a Level 3 country by the CDC for COVID risk, although most of its neighboring countries (one of which I'll need to transit through) are at Level 4. The trip itself will involve a lot of meetings (presumably masked and indoors) and some warehouse-based work. I'll be staying in an upscale urban hotel. I expect that many people I interact with will not be vaccinated, because this country has only received a relatively small number of vaccines thus far.
I am late-20s, healthy, vaccinated (2x Pfizer). I usually work from home and will be extra cautious in the lead-up to the trip, especially because it would be super-extra-bad if I ended up having to cancel due to illness. I will be tested before travel in both directions due to legal requirements.
Here is what I'm planning on doing:
*consistent mask-wearing, of course (with good masks - N95s for travel, N95s or double-masking during rest of trip)
*social distancing where possible
*bring my own food for the flight (at least on the outward direction) so that I can stagger mealtimes and wear my mask while others are eating
*outdoor meals and/or take-out meals wherever possible
*using one consistent taxi driver whenever possible, opening windows in car (and minimizing car trips, although it is difficult in the city where I will be)
*general good health practices - sleep, exercise, vegetables, regular travel medicine stuff
*taking vitamin D supplements before and during travel; also, ensuring I get outdoors regularly for natural vitamin D (and fighting jetlag)
*skipping housekeeping services, at least as much as the hotel will let me, and airing out my room after they do come
*preparations in case I do feel ill or get covid: bringing an antigen self test kit, a thermometer, and basic medications with me for personal use if needed; mentally prepare back-up plan in case I end up needing to quarantine/stay longer there
*high-quality travel medical insurance including 24/7 call-a-doctor services and medevac coverage (employer always requires this anyways)
*potentially: brief quarantine and take a second test after I return to the US
Hivemind: any ideas to things I can add to that list to maximize protection for myself and those around me? I am aware that this is not a low-risk activity, but I'm committed to minimizing risk however I can.
*bring my own food for the flight (at least on the outward direction) so that I can stagger mealtimes and wear my mask while others are eating
It's a long flight, but consider eating a really big meal before you go and another really big meal after you arrive, instead.
*skipping housekeeping services, at least as much as the hotel will let me, and airing out my room after they do come
Skip housekeeping services entirely.
posted by aniola at 11:07 AM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
It's a long flight, but consider eating a really big meal before you go and another really big meal after you arrive, instead.
*skipping housekeeping services, at least as much as the hotel will let me, and airing out my room after they do come
Skip housekeeping services entirely.
posted by aniola at 11:07 AM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Even though the likelihood of severe COVID is minimal if you get infected, consider bringing an oximeter for peace of mind. They're relatively inexpensive ($20) and small, and will tell you if you need emergency care (saturation under 92).
posted by cardamom at 11:17 AM on August 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by cardamom at 11:17 AM on August 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
The one aspect I haven't seen mentioned is eye protection. After N95s, eye protection has been estimated by fauci to reduce transmission by an additional 33%. It might be overkill, but if you are looking for one more step to protection, those facial shields are a potential step you aren't considering.
posted by bbqturtle at 11:36 AM on August 30, 2021
posted by bbqturtle at 11:36 AM on August 30, 2021
I just bought a pair of these actually pretty cute goggles (you can get them prescription or not) to wear in the school I'm working in this fall, if you want to add eye protection per the above in a less conspicuous way.
posted by kylej at 12:18 PM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by kylej at 12:18 PM on August 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
It's a long flight, but consider eating a really big meal before you go and another really big meal after you arrive, instead.
This seems unnecessary and also not exactly healthy when it comes to a 25-hour flight. You will also need to drink water regularly on a 25-hour flight.
Because of how airflow works on planes, your greatest risk on a flight is the people in your row or people passing by, so if any of your legs are on a big plane with the typical 2-5-2 seat layout, try to sit in one of the 2s, ideally in the window seat (the window seat is the best in regular planes as well). Also, the few times I have flown in COVID times, I wore a face shield while eating. It's not as good as a mask, but it offers some protection while allowing you to eat or drink.
posted by lunasol at 12:28 PM on August 30, 2021 [6 favorites]
This seems unnecessary and also not exactly healthy when it comes to a 25-hour flight. You will also need to drink water regularly on a 25-hour flight.
Because of how airflow works on planes, your greatest risk on a flight is the people in your row or people passing by, so if any of your legs are on a big plane with the typical 2-5-2 seat layout, try to sit in one of the 2s, ideally in the window seat (the window seat is the best in regular planes as well). Also, the few times I have flown in COVID times, I wore a face shield while eating. It's not as good as a mask, but it offers some protection while allowing you to eat or drink.
posted by lunasol at 12:28 PM on August 30, 2021 [6 favorites]
I would bring a few extra disposable masks to offer to your cab drivers or meeting counterparts, just in case someone isn't wearing one and didn't bring one.
posted by airplant at 3:10 PM on August 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by airplant at 3:10 PM on August 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
I feel like you've got the big stuff covered.
- I would bring a handful of Binax tests to use during travel if I felt symptomatic (or had an exposure, or).
- Do you have a plan to quarantine or isolate in country if you were to be a close contact or test positive? Hopefully your org has something, but will also depend on the country what is required.
- General stuff: Wash your hands, but that's more general advice than addressing COVID. When you have to be in meetings, larger rooms, rooms with good airflow (open windows and doors), and outdoors (if appropriate) are better.
- You are required to have a negative test no more than 3 days before your return to re-enter the US.
- I would probably -- personally, not official guidance -- plan to quarantine for 3-5 days after I got back. I would test on day 5, or earlier if I had any symptoms. Even if the symptoms are typical for you (allergies, etc), consider yourself symptomatic and do not go out until they are resolved and you have tested negative.
- I would have a plan for longer self-quarantine/potential isolation upon my return.
If you want more specific information about your destination, feel free to DM me!
posted by quadrilaterals at 10:54 AM on August 30, 2021 [5 favorites]