COVID-19 & Travel: Key Clues to Keeping Safe

How did a world class epidemiologist who studied Ebola, SARS and COVID-19 with a wealth of knowledge on viral safety precautions become very ill from COVID-19?  It’s a fundamental question that Dr. Joseph Fair thought critically about during his recent hospitalization.  After all, he wore a mask and gloves while flying home.  Like other respiratory viruses, COVID-19 is spread through droplets that travel farthest after coughing, sneezing, singing and screaming.  While enclosed spaces are most problematic, Dr Fair does not recall anyone seated around him who was coughing, sneezing, screaming or singing.  In fact, because most passengers were wearing a face mask, the likelihood of viral transmission should have been very low.  So how did he catch COVID-19?

The only area that he did not cover were his eyes- in fact, Dr Fair believes that a viral droplet landed on his eye at some point during during the crowded airline flight.  It turns out that the COVID-19 virus can bind to specialized (ACE2) receptors on the surface of the eye similar to its mechanism for gaining entry into the lungs.  The virus then multiplies and cause a full blown infection as occurred to Dr. Fair.

So what can you do about it?  The optimal protection when traveling by public transportation (planes, trains and busses) should now be a face mask, gloves/hand washing AND protective eye gear.  This will ensure you the most protection and reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.

Wishing you safe travels during these troubled times!

Michael Miller, MD is a cardiologist and Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology & Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.  His latest book,  “Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease” is published by Penguin Random House, USA.

 

 

 

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