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Omicron is Surging in the U.S. We urge our clients and readers to travel more safely with these tips:
1. Be Boosted
While this isn't an option yet for kids under 16, everyone 16 and up is eligible for a Pfizer COVID-19 booster, and everyone 18 and older is eligible for a Moderna COVID-19 booster. Those with a booster shot are more protected against severe effects from Omicron than those without, so get boosted.
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2. If You Have a Choice, Get the Moderna Booster
Per a UK study that assessed both the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots, both were roughly 70 percent effective at preventing symptomatic disease 2-4 weeks after getting a third shot (reduced from the 90 percent efficacy against the Delta variant). Pfizer booster shots declined to 45 percent effectiveness by 10 weeks after the booster shot, but Moderna booster effectiveness remained at around 70 percent for at least 9 weeks. The study was from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which reviewed 68,489 Omicron cases in the UK.
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3. Wear KN94 or N95 Medical Grade Masks
Don't bother with cloth masks; Omicron necessitates wearing KN94 or N95 masks that fit well, with no gap anywhere around your nose and mouth.
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4. Spend as Little Time in the Airport as Possible and Skip the Lounge
While HEPA air filters on most planes capture 99.9% of airborne microbes, this filtration is lacking in airports, so the last thing you want to do is spend more time than you need to in the airport, even while masked. You don't want to miss your flight of course, but don't build in extra time to go to the lounge, since you want to avoid eating and drinking in the airport anyway. Recently, when we had extra time to kill at LAX, we found a quiet outdoor area just outside the terminal and stayed there until it was time to clear security, which went quickly due to TSA PreCheck.
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5. Consider a First Class, Business Class or Economy Plus Window Seat
The more private a space you can create for yourself the better; consider using your miles or points to book an upgraded seat category, and selecting a window seat, so that you're not in close proximity to aisle traffic. Planning a long flight to Hawaii? See our post, United Polaris Hawaii Flights 2022 for the routes that feature Polaris flat bed business class seats.
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6. Increase the Air Flow from the Air Nozzle Above Your Seat
If the air nozzle above your seat is closed, open it to its maximum setting to increase the air flow.
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7. Avoid Eating and Drinking on Short Flights
While it's unavoidable on longer flights, try to refrain from eating and drinking on shorter flights, especially when others around you are doing so.
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8. Try to Book a Room or Suite with Portable Air Filters
A number of hotels such as the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, The Cliff House in Maine, The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills' Wellness Floor, etc. have air filters in the rooms and suites. Since infectious particles can linger in indoor spaces even after infected individuals have been in the rooms, filters provide additional protection.
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9. Get Tested Before Gathering
Particularly when seeing family and friends from different parts of the country, consider having everyone undergo a rapid antigen test. While the test is only a snapshot and could present a false negative, it can help prevent a highly infectious family member from infecting many others.
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10. Traveling Internationally? Be a Covac Global Member for Emergency Air Evacuation
The chances of getting COVID-19 have increased with Omicron, and the last thing you want to do is be stranded abroad for an extended period, since you must test negative for COVID-19 from a test taken the day prior to your flight back to the U.S. For that reason, we recommend Covac Global, which transports members home via air ambulance if the member has tested positive for COVID-19 with a PCR test and exhibits one or more COVID-19 symptoms. Keep in mind that Costa Rica no longer allows COVID-19 air evacuations, so avoid travel to Costa Rica unless/until that changes.
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