If you’ve been watching and reading the news, then you are probably aware of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
A disease that started in China late last year, the Coronavirus has been spreading fast around the world. This infectious disease has not only killed people in a short period of time, but it has been causing fear worldwide.
The Coronavirus is an infectious disease that was caused by a new virus that had never been identified in humans before.
COVID-19 is a lot like the flu with similar symptoms that causes respiratory illness. Some of these symptoms are coughing, fever and in more severe cases, pneumonia.
Why should we be worried?
Within 2 months, the Coronavirus has caused more than 80,000 illnesses. Not only that, but the disease has killed a lot of people within a few months.
According to the CDC, the death rate of those who have been infected with the flu during flu season is 0.05%, while the Chinese CDC research shows that the fatality rate of the Coronavirus in China is 2.3%.
Although this may affect elders more, especially those with diabetes, we still need to be cautious. The COVID-19 has yet to have a vaccine and has never been identified in humans before. Sure, the flu has also caused deaths, but it has been around for years, providing us with all the information we need and there’s a vaccine for it as well.
So even if the COVID-19 is sort of like the flu, it is still brand new and we do not have enough research about it to know what else it could do to our bodies.
This has been a matter of debate amongst many travelers. Some have said yes, others have said no. Honestly, my suggestion is to check what the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and also the WHO (World Health Organization) have to say about it. They are the health experts, they are the ones doing the research on COVID-19, not travel bloggers or travel experts.
That said, after reading everything the CDC has said about the Coronavirus, I believe that people should not be traveling unless it is absolutely necessary. If you cannot cancel your trip, make sure that it is at least going to a destination that is not on the ‘Do Not Travel List’ on the CDC website.
If you are taking a cruise, I would suggest canceling as the CDC has said that cruise ship passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
This does not mean that you cannot live life, there are other ways to travel without having to get on a plane or a cruise, but if you are really wanting to go abroad, make sure to follow the CDC’s updates and WHO updates.
Tips for Travelers
Aside from listening to the experts such as the CDC and WHO, here are some tips that will help you in case you are traveling or need to travel.
- Practice good hygiene
I have seen some people do things that the CDC has not recommended, so make sure to follow what the CDC says, not what other people are doing. That said, washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough and not touching your face will help. if you are traveling, this is vital! So make sure you are practice good hygiene.
- Consult a doctor
Before traveling, make sure to consult a doctor about your trip. Even if you might think you are healthy, it is always important to see a doctor before you go.
The CDC recommends working with your doctor to evaluate your health. You should not be traveling if you recently had any type of surgery, heart attack or are suffering from an infection or disease.
- Check with the Airlines
The other day, I noticed that a few airlines were waiving fees for those needing to change their travel plans. If you want to change your travel plan, talk to your airline. Also, most airlines have been canceling flights, so keep a lookout on that as well.
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