Travel in the Time of CoronaVirus

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by Francesco Gesualdo, Pediatrician

The risk of COVID-19 is still present, but it is manageable.

I have seen several families still somewhat paralyzed by the fear of contagion – some are choosing not to go out and avoid meeting other people. Many others, on the other hand, seem to live through this period as if the coronavirus were just a distant memory.

Instead, I suggest you choose a path utilizing both attention and awareness.

At the risk of being a little repetitive, here are again the tips for living safely, protecting those around us and continuing to mitigate risks:

  • Always wear a mask (especially indoors and also outdoors when the safety distance cannot be respected)
  • Respect the safety distance (at least one meter, possibly two)
  • Wash your hands very often with soap and water or alcohol-based liquids.

This is the classic triad, based on solid scientific foundations. It is particularly important to respect these rules especially if you are traveling, particularly in crowded places such as airports, stations, factories and hotels.

To this, I add a few other recommendations:

  • Try to meet other people outdoors as long as weather permits.
  • Avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing people you meet (I know, avoiding these gestures is difficult and can sometimes be a little embarrassing, but it’s the safest choice)
  • Choose a few families with whom you can have frequent contact instead of spending your time with many different people.
  • Make a habit of not touching your eyes, nose and mouth – teach it to your children too, you will see that they will learn quickly!
  • Do not leave the house at all if you have a cold, fever, sore throat or cough. Children should also be strictly isolated in case they have any of these symptoms.
  • Insist that the people you are with wear masks. The mask serves, above all, to protect others (more than ourselves). Therefore, you have every right to expect anyone close to you to wear it. Ask without embarrassment!
  • Download the Immuni app (on the Apple Store https://apps.apple.com/it/app/immuni/id1513940977 o on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.ministerodellasalute.immuni&hl=it), it gives you the opportunity to know promptly if you have been in contact with an infected person, and ensures that privacy is strictly respected.

I hope these tips can help  reassure you: the possibility of reducing the risk of contagion is now all in our hands.

In addition, as some of you know, I collaborate with the editorial staff of a magazine published by Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital dedicated to families: “A Scuola di Salute”

Please take a look at the latest issue, which is dedicated precisely to this strange “coronavirus summer”.

Unfortunately, an English translation of the magazine is not yet available, but we are working on it! You can read it in Italian here  and here.

In the magazine you will find many useful tips on how to confront this summer safely, swimming and taking walks in the mountains with children, the correct use of masks, the use of sunscreen, how to avoid heat stroke.

Stay safe.