Airlines help protect people against coronavirus, but passengers should take own precautions [WTMJ Roundtable]

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Summer in America is often travel season, but today is bringing a different experience for those who choose to fly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

To assist those travelers, many airlines have taken extra precautions to help their passengers be safe.

“They’ve outlined everything they’re doing in terms of distancing, how they’ll be handing out snacks,” according to Dr. Mary Beth Graham, an infectious disease expert with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Graham appeared on a recent WTMJ Cares Special Roundtable with John Mercure.

“Airlines, hotels, these businesses, you are going to see the cleanest travel environments than you’ve ever had the opportunity to (see),” added Kenny Judd of Collette Travel. “It is going to be an incredibly clean experience.”

Dr. Graham also says we have to do our part in trying to keep each other safe.

“I’m taking my hand sanitizer. I’m going to be taking my own bottle of water. I have no problem with that,” she said. “I am taking my own snacks…and my Kindle. Most of the time, I’ll have my mask on and I’ll be reading.”

There will be times, however, that passengers on a plane will have to touch common items, particularly in the bathroom. Common sense should prevail there as well, according to Dr. Graham.

“Wash your hands after you use the bathroom. It should be fine,” she suggested. “If I’m touching something else commonly touched, I’ll use (hand sanitizer.)”

Travelers should also expect to have to go through added steps when going through customs as well, particularly when it comes to travelers’ medical conditions.

“There will be some extra protocols coming in through customs. We don’t exactly know what that looks like,” said Judd. “Each country is going to be a little different as you enter their protocols.”

Dr. Graham says in the end, travelers shouldn’t be scared to travel, but should be aware and empowered with information and common sense.

“We need to get out there, not be afraid of doing it, but be smart about doing it.”