As you prepare for your holiday travels, I know more important things are on your mind than forgetting your toothbrush. The global crisis of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is causing a bit of a panic. How can it not? Ebola death toll rose to over 4000, state senators were trying to stop flights from West Africa, airlines banned flights from affected areas and set up screenings were conducted all over different airports. All of this created a lot of travel anxiety. Of course, you can’t hide and wait for the storm to pass, but on the other hand, you want to protect yourself. Before you step out of the door, you need to be an “in the know” and savvy traveler. It’s all part of the process and you want to keep these things in mind.
- Stay Informed with government agencies: The U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) give the latest warnings and advisories. Always get information from credible sources to keep you up to date and focus on the facts rather than opinions.
- Passenger Screenings: Realize it’s necessary and serious. Passengers from the Liberia and Sierra Leone area had their temperatures taken and were asked questions about any contact with anyone with Ebola. Although these precautions are required, however, the Ebola can stay dormant in the body for 21 days, which means someone can be infected without showing symptoms. CDC suggests people not to travel to certain parts of West Africa…which brings me to my next point.
- Coming Up With A Plan B or Maybe C: No one wants their vacation plans to be changed or postponed. But, it’s smart to choose risk factors over fun.
- Be Aware About Airport and Airlines Procedures: Attendants are suppose to report someone who looks or feels sick. And, crew members have the authority to feel passengers with gloves and if needed ask for help from the Medical Center at the University of Pittsburg. Also, if a highly contagious person is noticed on the plane, the pilot has the right to taxi and land the plane from a crowded airport. Plus, airports are required to abide by the “Do Not Board” list (list of contagious people who would fly anyway).
- Understand what Ebola is: Ebola isn’t like SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) which is airborne. Ebola is a virus disease transmitted through blood, sweat or bodily fluids from an infected person.
So if you are traveling this holiday season, I hope this information ease your nerves a little bit. Stay informed, take necessary precautions and focus more on getting to your destination to enjoy yourself. What are your thoughts? I would love to hear about it or if you have any other information to add about Ebola. Let me know about it. Take care for now and travel safe!
Hugs,
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