By Dr. David Reichert, CCRA | Contributor
After months of homeschooling and staying at home, you’re eager to travel for some summer relaxation. It’s vital to mix enjoyment with safety. Although restrictions have eased, the pandemic is still ongoing, necessitating new travel habits this summer. Here are some guidelines from the Academy of Allergy and Asthma in Primary Care to help you travel with children during COVID-19.
Keep Your Child’s Exploration in Mind
- Children learn through touching, making contaminated surfaces a significant concern. Try to view potential areas for exploration through your child’s perspective to foresee surfaces that will attract their attention.
- If your child is old enough, emphasize the importance of not touching items in public spaces.
- When traveling, steer clear of crowded areas. The higher the foot traffic, the greater the chance of encountering contaminated surfaces and potential COVID-19 exposure.
- Schedule regular handwashing breaks and use hand sanitizer after leaving communal spaces.
- Most importantly, be a role model. Let your children observe you cheerfully adhering to the same safety rules. This will help reduce their COVID-19-related anxiety and encourage them to adopt these easy safety behaviors.
Enhanced Safety Measures for High-Risk Families
If any family member is at greater risk, you’ll need to amp up your safety protocols. Consult your primary care physician to weigh the pros and cons of traveling, as they understand your specific situation and can offer tailored advice.
- Limit your travel companions to those you’ve had daily interactions with in recent months.
- Whenever possible, avoid public transportation such as planes, trains, and ships. Travel by car is preferable.
- Stay away from large groups.
- If visiting relatives, resist the urge to hug or kiss them.
- Limit exposure to high-traffic areas like hotel lobbies and tourist spots.
- Maintain physical distance and wear a face covering. Keep a six-foot distance and avoid allowing someone to come within this space for more than six minutes.
Plan Ahead for Each Travel Stop
Before each travel stop, create a strategy for interacting safely with the environment to ensure your health is prioritized. Every family and trip is different, but these updated travel practices are essential to include for the foreseeable future.
ABOUT DR. DAVID REICHERT, CCRA:
President of the Board of Directors for the Academy of Allergy and Asthma in Primary Care (AAAPC)
Dr. David Reichert has over 35 years of experience in the healthcare industry, focusing on research and development, commercialization, and enhancing healthcare products. In the last decade, his concentration has shifted to Allergy and Immunology, particularly in treating Allergy and Asthma. After managing the Allergy Immunotherapy Treatment Set division for ALK-Abelló, he founded Acclaim Allergy Solutions in 2014, which offers Allergy Immunotherapy Treatment options for practitioners across the USA. He actively participates in several Allergy and Immunotherapy organizations, including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), and he currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Academy of Allergy and Asthma in Primary Care (AAAPC).
About the AAAPC:
The Academy of Allergy and Asthma in Primary Care (AAAPC) is a national nonprofit organization that promotes innovative models of allergy and asthma care within primary care. It aids physicians in broadening their role to offer allergy diagnostics and treatment to underserved populations.
