-There have long been health risks associated with travel.
-I think you can really manage risk.
An abstinence-only approach would be,
"I'm just staying home for the holidays and we'll Zoom."
And I think a harm-reduction approach is,
"I'm gonna take a series of really meaningful prevention
approaches so that we can enjoy each other's company.
-This holiday season, with coronavirus very much among us,
your safest travel option is to stay home.
But if you've already made up your mind to visit loved ones,
some experts agree there are steps you can take
to lessen the risks for yourself and for others.
-It's not inevitable that we're going to have
massive transmission over the holidays.
If we're smart about things and we take a cautious
and respectful approach to the virus,
we can make it through the holidays
without increases in cases and death.
-During a year of tough choices and isolation,
safe holiday travel calls for thought
and planning ahead of time.
Let's start with what you should do
before you leave your home base.
Get tested for COVID-19 and quarantine
while you wait for your results.
-You can use testing for extra peace of mind,
but it's also important to remember if you have symptoms
or you know you've been exposed to someone with COVID,
you should not take a negative test
to be a clean bill of health.
-Next, you're deciding on your travel method.
If you're going to fly, Stefan Baral says it's important
to remember coronavirus is transmitted --
contact transmission and aerosolized transmission.
-There is a series of these things
that you can really consider that represent sort of low-bar
and easy things to do while you're traveling.
And I would sort of take that philosophy
almost everywhere you go.
-Air on an airplane is constantly cycling
throughout the cabin.
Wearing a mask and maintaining space from others
outside your immediate bubble should remain a priority.
-We just boarded.
The flight, they said, is full.
They're asking people to keep the middle seats open for now
unless you're flying with a family member or friend.
-Remember, masks need to be changed to remain sanitary
and effective, so bring backups.
-One thing to consider with masks is that over time,
they lose their filtration capacity.
The best estimate that I think of
is that you probably get a couple of hours out of a mask.
-Also, bring sanitizing wipes or napkins with you to wipe down
shared spaces, like armrests, tray tables, seat-belt buckles,
and the overhead light switch.
But risks come before and after boarding.
It's important to maintain social distancing
in airport shuttles,
at the snack stand, while waiting to board,
and on the other end at baggage claim, too.
If you want to avoid airports altogether,
experts also have advice for road trips.
-Taking a car is going to be the safest thing
because you are only going to have to interact
probably with the people who you're traveling with.
These days, you can get gas
without interacting with another human being.
-I'm here in New York City on my first work trip since March.
Right now, I'm going to check out of this hotel,
go get a rental car and drive back to Washington, D.
C.
I'm gonna wear my mask while I'm inside the rental place,
not only because it's required by law,
but because I think it's a good idea if you're a traveler
to wear a mask whenever you're in public.
Still gonna use some disinfectant wipes
because even though there's this note here.
I'm just going to sanitize the steering wheel and my phone.
Which might have touched some things.
-Whichever method of travel you choose, you should consider
quarantining upon arrival at your destination.
-Think about having some sort of quarantine period
and think about like, "Okay, this is our plan.
This is how we're going to minimize exposure as we travel.
This is how we're going to try to ensure safety
when we get places."
-You'll likely be in close quarters with people
you don't see on a daily basis.
Keep proximity and space in mind at all times.
One of the keys to slowing the spread of coronavirus
over the holidays is to plan ahead of time and have open,
honest conversations with your loved ones.
And remember, if you experience symptoms
during or after your travels, get tested right away.
-It's not just about our personal health.
It's about the health of the people we love
and the people around us and the health of the wider community.
When we wear that mask, when we forgo going to that bar,
we're not just protecting ourselves.
We're giving a gift to all of those people around us
who might suffer more if they were infected with the virus.