I am a 68 Yr old retired cyclist from NW England who enjoys going away a few times a year for a holiday break and get some riding in the sun.
In the last 2 or 3 years I’ve noticed an increase in how many times I pick up a cold related illness on flights and bus transfers. I must have lost some immunity over the years since retiring from working in a busy office and going out to sites.
What do others take as a precaution against picking up unwanted bugs?
I wear a mask occasionally but don’t feel comfortable if I’m the only one wearing one on the plane. Thoughts and ideas appreciated.
I travel often, n95 from when I enter to when I leave the airport. Have yet to catch anything 
.
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Just wear a mask, put it on when you enter the terminal and take it off when you get if the transfer bus.
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netjets
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Mask up. Who cares what people think on a bus? Aeroplanes are just not great at all for recirculating germs.
I’d rather some slack jawed bovine eyed idiot judged me on the bus than ruin my holiday with a stinking cold.
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I’m in Spain on holiday from the US right now. I got both the new COVID and flu vaccines last week as a precaution. In the airport I washed my hands multiple times andon the plane I wiped down my seating area with an antibacterial cloth. I’ve also been trying to eat healthy and get plenty of sleep.
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Zinc nasal spray and throat drops worked for me*
*meaning, I didn’t get ill. On a couple of trips. Would I if I wasn’t using them? Well, I seem to 90% of the time I get on a plane, so I’ll keep spending the few pounds if it’s placebo!
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Don’t touch your face. Wearing a mask has the side benefit of somewhat filtering the air while also reducing your ability to absentmindedly do so
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Mask and glove liners. The glove liners help remind me not to touch my face. Alcohol wipe for my food tray arm rest and if I have to use the w/c.
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Stay up-to-date on vaccines and as much as I hate them, N95 in the airport and on the plane. Pretty much the only place I wear them now.
It’s not nearly as bad as catching Covid on the flight out and ruining a vacation and race you’ve been looking forward to for a year.
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I’ve found the best thing to do is avoid touching your mouth and ALWAYS wash/sanitize your hands immediately before you eat or drink. I rarely get sick, even when several members of my household are sick. I attribute most of this due to my handwashing habits.
Often when traveling I see so many people snacking and drinking without sanitizing their hands first. Your hands touch everything. Gloves IMHO don’t really help unless you’re washing your gloves or removing them constantly.
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I always wear a mask in airports and on the plane, with extra care on my way to destination. (If i pick something up on the way home that’s less annoying.) Careful hand washing, limit touching face and especially nose/mucus membranes.
You’re 68, you should be well past the age where you care what anyone thinks!
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Since my wife has a compromised immune system, I have been masking when travelling sicne COVID. I did stop this Spring, but will likely resume masking shortly. Came down with COVID in early August (likely due to a trip) so I should be good for now. In early November, I’ll get my booster and resume masking when on the plane.
The hygiene we practiced during COVID is still good protocol for Cough & Cold season…wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, mask and practice social distancing. I still do my best to stand clear of others in public spaces.
COVID has somewhat removed the stigma of masking in public (except for a certain segment of the population). Most people are now used to seeing people in masks and it is still very common in airports, etc.
Just continue to practice smart behavior re: transmission of viruses and you will greatly reduce your chances of infection.
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Yup! This is super common now, so don’t feel weird about it. 
Maybe also try hydrating super well the week prior. I know being hydrated helps a lot with overall wellbeing. I also like taking Emergen-C before, during and after to give the system a boost!
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+1 on the zinc/vitamin c 
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Drew, the problem is when your 68 you can’t remember to carry out all the good practices. Before my next trip I must make a note to read all these again.
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I just got covid from Las Vegas. Traveling is being exposed to stress and the potential infested environment. I probably got it from dinner with a friend who a couple days later became symptomatic. He tested positive, but ironically I just tested negative. (I have never had a positive test throughout the pandemic, including today. I can’t trust those damn tests) I have most of the same symptoms as I had a month ago: ringing ears, brain fog, headache, sniffles, coughing… Prior to leaving, my dr wife said I should be okay after having it so soon but that didn’t work well.
The new variant apparently doesn’t respect much or any acquired or vaccinated immunity. Mask, pop vitamin C and D, maybe consider goggles which will look really kinda stupid, but maybe on group rides. (The reason I suggest that is your chances of becoming symptomatic is based on ‘viral load’ and limiting your exposure to those spewing virus is important, and being close to others is a factor in the load you are exposed to)
But realistically, there may be no clear way to limit your exposure except by staying home, but that sure sucks. And for those that have never been infected, I was one of you, and that ended pretty much last month. I have probably had covid a couple times previously, but I always have tested negative, even after having a physician go through my symptoms and saying ‘Yep, you have it. Guaranteed.’) Weird…
We did a week long trip to St Lucia during the end of the pandemic, and masked like felons, had flights that had ‘pandemic spacing’ and more than half the planes were empty, and the resort was under pandemic plans, and every person that worked there was (supposedly) tested every day, and we did it, had a great time, masked almost constantly, and had no issues. It IS possible to travel without becoming infected, but you can’t let your guard down. Wearing a mask might look silly with nearly everyone else maskless, but it’s about the only thing that you can do to protect yourself out in the wild.
Good luck! I’d still rather risk it than stay at home, but wondering about a new stronger/lethal virus lurks in the back of my mind. 
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Has to be a well fitted N95. You have to do a fit test if you want to ensure it’s actually well fitting. KN95 or surgical masks don’t cut it. Also wash hands as soon as you can especially before eating.
Don’t go by plane 
Bike ride to the ferry?
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Would be nice if that was true but I fear it isn’t . I have a handwash tick everyone who knows me jokes about. I also don’t touch stuff, e.g. I open doors with feet/elbows or I use my shirt as a glove. And that’s all just the tip of the iceberg, don’t ask me about desinfection products…
At home we have two toddlers which bring every bug they find from two different day cares & schools.
Guess who catches those ALL the time? Hint: It’s not my wife, which cleans their snot and deals them kisses all day.
+1 for Masking up!
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