How to properly enjoy summer against COVID-19?

With more than 173 million registered cases and 3.75 million deaths, it seems that COVID-19 (coronavirus disease of 2019) is finally beginning to give humanity a break. While the summer of 2020 was characterized by seclusion, fear, uncertainty and anxiety, the current situation is very different. We are still in a pandemic, but we know the enemy better.

In countries like the United States (with more than 33 million cases throughout the pandemic and 595,300 deaths), to date more than 303,923,660 vaccines have been administered. Along with the vaccination campaigns come wonderful news, as they are reported every day in these moments 6% of cases registered with respect to the average of the most critical day in the country, January 8 from 2021.

In any case, we cannot forget that in this region, more than 14,000 new infections occur every day. Meanwhile, in Mediterranean areas such as Spain, the number of daily infections is between 2,500 and 4,500, low numbers but not negligible. Although the light is visible at the end of the tunnel, SARS-CoV-2 has not yet left us. For all these reasons, today we teach you

how to properly enjoy summer in the face of COVID-19.

• Related article: "Closed for vacations! The psychological need to rest "

Summer in times of COVID-19

As we have said, the global vaccination strategy is beginning to curb the COVID-19 virus, but we cannot forget that not everyone is governed by the concept and vision of the West. Without going any further, in India at the time these lines are written (June 9, 2021) 29.1 million cases have been registered, with about 90,000 more infections and 2,200 deaths every 24 hours.

The pandemic is far from reaching its end, and therefore, it is necessary to continue taking into account certain recommendations during the summer. We will show them to you below.

1. Put on the mask in public

The basic reproductive rate (R0) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is 5.7 and it is transmitted by respiratory droplets. This means that, on average, a sick person who does not take the pertinent measures will infect almost 6 others before being healed. This R0 far exceeds Influenza, Ebola, diphtheria and other pathogens.

It is estimated that if a positive case sneezes or coughs without a mask close to someone who is healthy and unprotected, the probability of infection is 90%. Instead, if a positive with a mask experiences rales and is close to an unprotected uninfected person, the contagion rate is reduced to 5%. If both wear masks, the probability drops to 1.5%, and reaches 0% if they are also more than 2 meters apart.

With these data we want to reflect that, as annoying as it may be, the mask is still our best ally against COVID-19. Although the mandatory use of a mask by vaccinated people is no longer mandatory in some areas, keep in mind that not all countries, States or Autonomous Communities are governed in the same way. If you want to avoid problems, the key is simple: put on the mask in public.

2. Pack your suitcase, but with more considerations than before

These holidays are going to be a little different for everyone, because the normality to which we were used is still far away. Therefore, you have to prepare for any trip taking into account certain concepts. First: when packing your suitcase, do not forget your hydroalcoholic gel under any circumstances, with an alcohol concentration of at least 60%.

If you go to a hotel or any other type of facility that has been previously occupied by others people, it will always be a good idea to carry virucidal products suitable for surfaces approved by institutions sanitary. Thus, if you disinfect the most commonly used areas (tables, doorknobs, bathroom and kitchen surfaces), you minimize the risk of contagion. Every hotel should do this before the arrival of a new tenant, but it never hurts to be safe.

By last, remember to take plenty of masks with you (much better if they are FFP2) in your luggage, because surely you spend them at a faster rate than in a normal situation. Sea water, soil, humidity and other environmental factors typical of vacation settings will cause them to deteriorate faster.

• You may be interested in: "6 easy relaxation techniques to combat stress"

3. Avoid closed spaces

Many people tend to see their vacations as a period completely free of obligations: "while I'm traveling, I go out for lunch and dinner every day." Every worker is entitled to demand the maximum comforts in his vacation period, but for Unfortunately, this year the virus makes it very difficult to enjoy hotels and public spaces 24 hours a day. day.

As we have said in previous sections, the basic reproductive rhythm of SARS-CoV-2 oscillates a value of 5.7 and the contagion is very conducive in closed spaces without ventilation. Bars and restaurants are one of the most conflictive areas in terms of hygiene and general measures, so it is better to limit meals outside the hotel or place of stay.

4. Find out about the health status of your place of visit

In many parts of the world, the health status is much more alarming than that reported in the United States or certain countries of the European Union. Fortunately, the World Health Organization (WHO) makes a map available to the public with part of the epidemiological information that you should know if you want to travel to any region of the globe.

Beyond the map find out from local sources of the state of the city, town or town you want to visit. What a tourist wants the least is to be locked in by a border closure in a country that is not their own. If you do not see the panorama clearly, it is better to leave the visit to the area of ​​interest for another time.

Do you want to have professional psychological support?

As you have seen, the most important thing in all cases is to maintain caution and not be overconfident. Although global vaccination is translating into excellent results, many countries continue to figures of infected and deaths more than alarming, so we must not lower our guard at any time.

Wherever you go, take masks to spare, don't miss out on your hydroalcoholic gel and, if possible, get an effective surface disinfectant. Try to reduce the number of exits to public places where it is difficult to maintain a distance of 2 meters (restaurants, crowded beaches, squares, monuments, etc.) and find out about the epidemiological situation of the region you are going to to travel. If you meet all these requirements, your well-being this summer will be assured.

If you are interested in having psychological assistance in therapy, do not hesitate to contact us. On Psychomaster We offer both face-to-face and online therapy by video call, so that you can do it even if you go on vacation.