[imagesource: Kevin Frayer/Getty]

The fear is real, and becoming more real by the day.

South Africa might be in the clear for now, but experts say the spread of the coronavirus, of COVID-19, is nearing pandemic proportions, and we will more than likely be affected.

Many folks can’t just flat-out write off international travel, so it pays to be aware of some simple steps that can be taken to minimise the risk of infection.

Spoiler alert – wearing an astronaut costume isn’t medically advisable, and neither is wearing a plastic bottle on your face, as seen in the image above.

Sadly, with many areas of China facing a chronic shortage of masks, people have become desperate, using everything from garbage bags and ski goggles to motorbike helmets.

According to Forbes, as things stand the World Health Organisation is only advising travellers to avoid China, South Korea, Japan or Italy.

For travellers to other countries, it’s important to remember that airports are “high-risk sites for the acquisition of infectious diseases “, so some precautions should be taken.

San Franciso isn’t waiting for a confirmed case of the virus before taking steps, with Mayor London Breed declaring a local emergency in the city.

Back to what you can do, and a look at those five simple steps.

Wash your hands

This is probably the single most important thing you can do. Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, after coughing or sneezing, after using the restroom, after shaking hands with other people and after touching common surfaces.

Wash with soap and warm water, and scrub for at least 20 seconds.

If you’re worried about getting the timing right, you could always hum the ‘happy birthday’ song twice in your head.

Don’t do it loud in an airport bathroom, because people will think you’re a rather sad human.

Use hand sanitiser

Is hand sanitizer a substitute for soap and water? “NO!” warns [Raj Dasgupta, M.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Southern California].

“Given the choice, you should always wash your hands with soap and water. But when they’re not readily available and your hands are not visibly dirty, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Use it in the same situations which you would wash your hands.”

Check how much liquid you’re allowed to bring onto the plane with you in your carry-on luggage, and then pop some sanitiser in your bag for use in the plane and on arrival.

Wipe down screens

“Common surfaces touched by others are a potential source of infection,” according to Dr. Tassin. “Wipe down plane seats, screens, trays and belts with alcohol-based hand sanitizing wipes.”

You should be wiping down your screen anyway, given that some passengers are disgusting enough to use their feet to scroll through the in-flight entertainment options.

We present to you:

I fly a lot and this, by far, is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen on a plane. Bringing #antibacterialwipes. Where’s ⁦@NaomiCampbell⁩ when you need her inflight wipe down advice? #Delta #frequentflyer 🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮 pic.twitter.com/kGR2D7hDa7

— Erik Olvera | He/Him/his (@JErikOlvera) January 1, 2020

Yes, that passenger has arms.

Do better, coronavirus or no coronavirus.

Stop touching your face

This is easier said than done but it goes a long way toward not spreading the germs you may have picked up on your hands.

Try to be aware and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

The jury is out on whether or not this is an excuse to flick the peanuts you’re given on the plane towards your mouth without fear of judgement.

I say go for it – you only live once.

Cough into your elbow

For everyone’s sake, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze – and don’t cover it with your hand. Optimally, you should cough and sneeze into a tissue, then throw out the tissue and wash your hands.

Since you’re unlikely to have a tissue ready, though, the CDC recommends coughing and sneezing into the crook of your elbow or sleeve.

Here at 2OV, we’ve always maintained that sneezing is a form of weakness. If you must, though, the elbow zone is where it’s at.

Still feel like flying? Here’s a video of some horrid turbulence to really make you feel at ease.

Safe travels!

[source:forbes]