No one likes the idea of becoming sick any time of the year, but especially before (or during) your vacation.
Luckily, we’ve got a few tips on how to continue to stay healthy during your travel, but if you’ve got extenuating circumstances that could make travel during a busy illness season seem daunting, this may be something to take notice of.
According to an article by the Associated Press, they’re seeing an increase in U.S. hospitals requiring masks and limiting visitors as healthcare workers battle post-holiday spikes in flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses. Many experts aren’t expecting this recent surge to be as deadly as past winters, however, it could still mean exponential increases in hospitalizations and critical cases across the country.
New York City recently implemented a mask mandate for the city’s 11 public hospitals. Similar measures have already been reinstated at some hospitals in Los Angeles, California, and in the state of Massachusetts. Some hospitals reportedly revised their masking rules for healthcare workers months ago, in a proactive approach going into an expected heavy season of sick and critically ill people.
Health officials have reported Flu and COVID-19 infections on the rise in recent weeks, with a particular increase of flu-like illness reported in 31 states right before Christmas. Health officials are now estimating that infections will grow in several states well into a good portion of January.
“What we’re seeing right now, in the first week of January, is really an acceleration — of flu cases, in particular,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, it’s not all bad news. Flu and COVID-19 cases may experience a peak by the end of the month and then go on the decline. Although as a nation we’ve seen a significant increase in the cases of the flu this season, this strain of the flu virus usually doesn’t cause as many deaths and hospitalizations as other versions. What’s more, health officials are urging healthy and capable individuals to take precautions with the current flu vaccine suggesting that it is well matched to the strain causing the spike in infections now.
“I don’t think it’s going to be overwhelming,” said Dr. William Schaffner, who is a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert. He went on to call the current season “moderately severe.”
For now, taking measures like hand washing and using hand sanitizer frequently, as well as isolating yourself if you are sick, seems to be the best defense to work in your favor until the number of cases decreases and therefore your likelihood of becoming infected, too. Be sure to stay tuned with us at All Ears for the latest in travel news, updates, cancellations, delays, and more!
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Could another spike in COVID cases affect your ability to travel this year? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned: Florida does not allow mask mandates, vaccine mandates, vaccine passports or discrimination in businesses based on who is or isn’t vaccinated. The state has passed all of this into law, and it will not change. These laws carry substantial fines (up to $5000 for each individual and separate violation) for any business that violates them.
In addition, Disney would also likely not want to be caught blatantly violating state law, given the ongoing legal disputes.