By: Rahdin Salehian
With ongoing COVID concerns, is it possible to travel safely yet?
Travel traditionally represents an important part of many people’s lives, and methods of travel are ever-shifting. With the onset of COVID-19, many severely restricted their travel, and the pandemic continues to alter when we travel and the way we do. As the pandemic slows down, people have begun to revert to their pre-pandemic routines. For many, this includes more frequent travel. However, even as the pandemic recedes, people must limit their travel and exercise caution.
At the beginning of the pandemic, millions stopped traveling on airplanes. In response, airlines reduced the number of flights and took precautionary measures. For instance, a limited number of passengers were allowed on flights and people had to wear masks at all times. While some restrictions have been rescinded, guidelines should still be followed. They make travel safer and preserve human life.
Buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation offer an appealing alternative way of travel. Bus and train rides are typically shorter than air travel, lowering the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, the American Medical Association reports, “The airflow in today’s aircrafts has been measured at three times the amount mandated for infection control rooms in hospitals. It takes the ventilation system of a plane about six minutes to reduce the number of viral particulates in the air by 99.9%.” Although planes have significantly better ventilation, the duration of flights are usually longer than the duration of a train or bus ride. This results in longer exposure and possible contraction of the virus.
Travel by car far and away represents the safest form of travel because there is no increased risk of contracting the virus. Unfortunately, traveling by car can be inconvenient. For longer journeys, using other modes of transportation may be necessary. In the event that transportation by car is impossible, one should heed the advice of experts. According to Feargus O’Sullivan, a writer of urban design for Bloomberg News, “When it comes to staying safe on mass transit, one piece of advice outweighs any other: Do whatever you can to stay at a safe distance from other people.” Following this advice truly saves lives. Traveling responsibly and sensibly goes a long way toward protecting others and ending the pandemic.
Ultimately, one can stay safe by traveling in moderation and with caution. As people return to their day-to-day lives, people will struggle to limit travel. Many people rely on public transit for their commute. Others rely on air travel for work. As the pandemic winds down, we must reexamine what normalcy means. For the time being, we must adjust our sense of normalcy and travel responsibly and safely.
Passengers on flight distanced and wearing masks.