As winter and the holiday season approaches, many are once again weighing the risks and benefits of flying during the pandemic, the rules of which still feel tenuous after all these months.
While the likelihood of an in-flight COVID-19 transmission is relatively low, although "not completely zero," said Dr. Mark Gendreau, Chief Medical Officer at Beverly Hospital and an expert in aviation medicine with KCBS Radio’s Dan Mitchinson on KCBS Radio's "Ask an Expert."
Especially for shorter flights, of two hours or less, he said. For those, transmission rates are between 2 to 4%. "That's if you’re wearing a mask," he said. If not wearing a mask, that likelihood gets doubled.
Any longer flight, 12 hours or more, the risk can range anywhere from 11% to 90%, if not wearing a mask.
Regardless, "masks make a huge difference," said Gendreau.
While these rates are consistent for any confined space, an aircraft, a bus, a train, or even a building, there are a variety of contributing factors.
It depends on proximity, length of proximity, each person’s infectiousness, said Gendreau, as well as your own overall vaccination status, health and immunity.
Those traveling frequently for business or personal matters should consider getting a booster shot, he said.
Anyone over the age of 65 should still have enough immunity to be able to travel for the holidays this year, as long as they are operating under proper masking and other COVID-19 procedures.
One tip is to turn on and adjust the airflow nozzle above your seat over your abdomen and lap. In that position, "that will take any droplets that are coming your way and push them down near the bottom of the floor where the cabin air circulation pattern is bringing that airflow to exit," he said.
Try to minimize getting up and moving around during the flight as well, particularly when deplaning. The highest risk of transmission is when people are getting off the plane at the end of the flight, said Gendreau.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram