Family going on flight- what about the swine flu?

[teacups]

In about two weeks we are taking a short (hour long) flight. Stay a week. And a return hour long flight.
I really dont want the kids to be exposed to the flu (or any other goodies).
Any idea? I'd be a bit embarrased to use face masks.... but I wonder if that is what we need to do.

 

[KAMKIM]

I personally wouldn't wear masks at this point, wash their hands before and after the flight...they'll be fine.

 

[MariDisney]

I feel like there are many places to be exposed to the flu: school, the mall, restaurants, walking down the street, etc. I wouldn't personally wear masks on the flight. I would be careful about handwashing and keeping hands away from the face. We aren't going to let this flu impact our lives in any significant way. My DD had a mild case in the spring, and all ended well.

 

[MK2thcleaner]

My understanding is that masks don't work anyway. The virus is so small that the standard mask offers little protection.

Do all the other general precautions and call it good. Good luck!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

In about two weeks we are taking a short (hour long) flight. Stay a week. And a return hour long flight.
I really dont want the kids to be exposed to the flu (or any other goodies).
Any idea? I'd be a bit embarrased to use face masks.... but I wonder if that is what we need to do.

We actually went to Disney when this whole swine flu thing started and I was a nervous wreck (still am about the darn thing now that I will be student teaching in a classroom with 6 year olds ). We did see a few people in Newark Airport with the masks, I think they make people more nervous than anything. I was in line waiting to pay for a magazine so I could read it on the plane, and I turn around and the lady behind me is wearing the mask. I was thinking to myself maybe she had it, maybe she was just being cautious, who really knows.

But anyways, just wash your hands often, get the antibacterial hand sanitizer and just be aware of the people around you. If your around someone who is sneezing just move haha. Also, I do this all the time, but it is b/c DD has a severe peanut allergy, I bring the clorox wipes and wipe down the tray tables on the planes and the arm rests.

Also I am not sure how old your kiddos are, but just teach them not to put their hands in their mouth, nose, eyes, etc. Before we left for Disney I actually made DD watch this little Cat on youtube (Crawford the Cat), they had one about washing hands. She is 4, so she enjoyed it haha.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[ICF]

unless you plan on wearing masks 24-7, why would you wear it on the flight? You could catch any other place just as easily??

Seems very silly to me.....

 

[Carly_Roach]

In about two weeks we are taking a short (hour long) flight. Stay a week. And a return hour long flight.
I really dont want the kids to be exposed to the flu (or any other goodies).
Any idea? I'd be a bit embarrased to use face masks.... but I wonder if that is what we need to do.

You probably shouldn't go.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The flu is everywhere. Wearing a mask does not help. It is really for people that are sick, coughing, sneezing, etc. and protecting others from them.

It is going to be hit and miss whether you get it.

My older dd in a college dorm has people on her floor with the flu.

 

[BelleWDW]

Are you going to WDW?
There is way more germs there than the plane
every single trip we make to WDW, someone in my family gets the sniffles/stopped up head by the end of the trip

 

[sbell111]

My understanding is that masks don't work anyway. The virus is so small that the standard mask offers little protection.

Do all the other general precautions and call it good. Good luck!

While I agree that standard precautions of washing hands and keeping them away from them mouth, nose or eyes is all that is really warranted, it is a mistake to say that masks don't provide protection.

While it is true that the flu virus is too small to be stopped by the mask, it is important to remember that this virus isn't technically airborne. It travels through the air by hitching a ride on water droplets, which are large enough to be stopped by masks.

 

[EdiePA]

BUT the minute a face mask gets damp (just from your breathing), it will no longer be impervious to those water droplets. Water is attracted to water, so a regular mask, once damp, affords little protection.

Hand washing and the other precautions cited are your best bet.

Edie