Many people are overreacting amid the swine flu crisis, says Peter Greenberg. But as long as you take appropriate precautions, there’s no reason to be afraid of taking your vacation.
By Peter Greenberg
I tend to be a contrarian traveler, and I’ve always believed that — with rare exceptions — the best time to travel somewhere is after a natural disaster, a civil disturbance or a medical crisis. You get to see a place the way it should be seen. There are no crowds. People are genuinely happy to meet you, and more often than not, you’re genuinely happy to help them during your vacation.
A few weeks ago, in the wake of drug-fueled gang violence, I even advised that people should continue to vacation in Mexico. My advice was based on common sense — the violence is centralized in the border towns, not the resort towns, so there was no reason to let fear (and media saturation) get in your way.
And now, with the swine flu, or H1N1 virus, the situation is similar. For the moment, I’d still advise you to avoid border towns, as well as Mexico City, which is virtually shut down. But resort areas like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and the Riviera Maya — even as far east as the Yucatan — are just fine to visit if you practice good hygiene and common sense.
Yes, we need to be concerned about the swine flu virus; the World Health Organization has just raised the influenza pandemic alert to phase five, the second-highest level. And it’s true that the U.S. Department of State has issued a notice recommending that American citizens avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico at this time. But note that it’s a travel alert, not a travel warning, and that it’s “recommending” that we avoid “nonessential” travel. There aren’t any absolute terms here.
The best protection: Washing your hands
So should anyone feel comfortable traveling to Mexico? The answer is yes, with a caveat. First, see your doctor. If you’re already ill, or have a compromised immune system, or your physician is concerned about issues like age or a pre-existing medical condition, it’s best to stay home. But if you’re healthy, you can travel as long as you pay attention to two important things — personal hygiene and common sense.
In any travel situation, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands frequently, and carry packets of antibacterial wipes. I’ve long been a proponent of that, even before any health scares. Wash your hands before and after every meal, before and after traveling on public transportation and before and after using the bathroom. Use those antibacterial wipes to clean off the armrest of the airplane, the tray table and the remote control in your hotel room (one of the largest carriers of bacteria). It’s basic common sense.
What about wearing a face mask? Don’t bother. If someone sneezes or coughs near you, yes, a face mask can help stop droplets from spraying into your face, but the flu virus is too tiny to be stopped by a mask. Conversely, if you’re already sick, it can help protect others from sprays when you cough or sneeze — but if you’re already sick, you shouldn’t be traveling anyway.
Respirator masks are a little different. An N95 mask, for example, is made of heavier materials that block out very small particles, and has been certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (think firefighters and health care workers). But those masks need to be specially fitted (“fit-tested”) for each person, and must be thrown out after each use. They’re not exactly efficient or cost-effective. It’s a lot easier to just wash your hands frequently.