The measures taken within the scope of the fight against Covid-19 caused by coronavirus are gradually relaxed and steps are being taken to return to normal. According to experts who emphasize the importance of measures suitable for the new period for the summer season, masks should be worn in the vehicle while traveling. Noting that the side, front and back seats should be empty on bus trips, experts underline that attention should be paid to the crowd while swimming in the pool and sea.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Songül Özer gave advice to spend the summer holiday away from the risk of epidemics.
How should masks be used in the vehicle?
Drawing attention to the precautions to be taken during the travels to be carried out in the summer months, Dr. Songül Özer said, "When older individuals travel, they either have to take a companion with them or someone in the family uses their own vehicle and 3-4 people travel together in the vehicle. If there are others in the vehicle, no matter how long the journey is, it is absolutely necessary not to remove the mask in the vehicle. Because the inside of the vehicle is a very small, narrow space. We cannot maintain our physical distance of 1.5 - 2 meters inside the vehicle. Therefore, it is necessary to travel with a mask, even if it is a family member. On long journeys, there will be a need to stop from time to time, get out of the car or open the window, remove the mask and ventilate. Traveling 9-10 hours with a mask is theoretically correct but difficult to implement. Therefore, one should definitely open the window and ventilate every two hours. Not only for Covid-19, but also as a general warning, if there is more than one person in the vehicle, tobacco and similar products should definitely not be used."
Side, front and back seats should be empty on bus trips
Noting that bus companies must have planned a journey suitable for travel conditions, Dr. Songül Özer said, "There should be an application so that the seat next to it is empty. 50% capacity is important. If the side seat is empty, if the other side seat is empty, if the front and back seats are empty, if the physical distance diameter of 1.5 - 2 meters is preserved, if it is available in a bus under these conditions, we do not have to wear a mask, but if that distance is not available, no matter how long the journey is, the mask should be used."
Beware of the crowd in the pool and the sea!
Dr. Songül Özer, who also mentioned the things to be considered in the hotels to be vacationed, said, "We read that some hotels are doing reduction practices to prevent too many people from being together while sunbathing or swimming. This is a very good practice because even though it is open air, it is useful to keep a distance of 1 meter, 1.5 meters. They also placed the sunbeds at social distances. Some hotels have created special areas for families. Physical distance should also be considered when entering the sea. You should not enter at a busy moment. Because you are swimming, it is not possible to keep a constant distance. If there is a density in the sea, you should not enter. You can swim alone in calm places. We know that the virus does not pass through water. We know that it does not pass through the toilet. We know that it does not pass through eating and drinking. Of course, masks may not be used in the sea in the pool, but we need to maintain social distance."
Mask should be worn in open areas
Emphasizing the importance of wearing a mask while walking outdoors, Dr. Songül Özer stated that they do not recommend activities such as picnics where people are together this summer and said, "Picnic is a collective action, so it is risky in this period. Two people, three people can maybe go, but it should not be done in the form of collective organizations such as organizations made by workplaces or in the form of collective organizations such as gathering neighbors. I don't think we should do these this summer. Even mass organizations such as weddings should not be held this summer. There may be weddings, but any kind of collective entertainment with a crowd should not be held until September or October. Walking alone on the beach is the best sport to do these days. Wear your mask, we don't think the virus is hanging in the air, but someone may still pass by us, we can enter a shop, we can shop at that time. There is a possibility of meeting someone. The best thing is to wear a mask, you can take walks outdoors, alone if possible, with a friend at most."
Children should be taught hand washing very well
Touching on how children should be protected on the street, Dr. Songül Özer said, "It is difficult to wear masks on children. Children are so mobile. Even when working at a normal table, sitting or walking, breathing with a mask becomes difficult after a while. You may not be able to keep your child masked while doing those activities in the heat of July - August. The good information we know is that children did not get very sick. The coronavirus did not cause very severe diseases in children. There are many discussions, hypothesized about this, about their intense immunity. Although we cannot make children wear masks, we can teach them to wash their hands. We can teach them to take care of their own hygiene. Of course, I am talking about children of an age when they can do it on their own. The other age group is easier because they are under the constant supervision of their parents. Parents will wash their children's mouths, hands and noses frequently. And as much as possible, they will not be able to have group fun or group games with other children, unfortunately, but they will gradually allow individual sports, games or smaller group activities in the form of one person, two people."
