By Dr Shivani Vivekanand, Practicing Physician from Hosur, Tamil Nadu (India)
The entire world is affected by the new corona virus global pandemic. The simplest advice to avoid Covid-19 is to stay safe at home. But what if you have to go somewhere by car? Here’s the advice by Dr Shivani Vivekanand, a Practicing Physician from Hosur, Tamil Nadu (India).
It can be kept in mind that even if a car is a kind of mobile isolation unit that allows you to minimise contact with others on necessary journeys like shopping for food, medicine or other essentials, it is also not completely risk-free and the travelers should take several precautionary measures.
If you are really have to go somewhere by car, go alone. If you have to accompany with some others, protect yourself and all the other passengers with facemasks.
Don’t forget to be very careful about hygiene at petrol pump stations while filling fuel for your vehicle. Minimise contact with the petrol station staffs. Payment by contactless card or mobile phone, can be made at fuel stations
Although some of the measures to avoid coronavirus might seem drastic and excessive, care and caution, the more we respect these measures, the more we reduce the risk and the sooner we can get our lives back to normal.
“While taking car travel, disinfect all the surfaces you touch before and after the journey,” Dr Shivani Vivekanand says.
At least 70% alcohol solution is effective against coronavirus and it can be used to disinfect the spots that you touch often while traveling.
Wash your hands or use hard sanitizer frequently to not contaminate the car inside.
Dr Shivani Vivekanand also lists out a few of parts inside and outside the car that we touch often and needs to be disinfected. That includes steering wheel, gear, handbrake, gear handles, radio, elbow rest, seat position controls, mirrors and window switches.