If COVID-19 has taught us one thing, it’s a new “hypersensitive awareness” to germs.
Social media is full of videos teaching people how to wash their hands (it’s scary how many actually didn’t know how before this) and how to disinfect everything from food containers to door handles.
Germophobes have become even more fearful of touching anything, while the rest of us are just trying to figure out how to travel and stay safe.
And although right now it’s estimated that over 80 percent of hotel rooms are empty, once people are free to actually leave their homes and travel – they’ll be full of people again.
So how do we travel post COVID-19 without walking around in a hazmat suit?
Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Be Cautious Of Common Areas
Think of all the things you touch when you enter a hotel – from the door handle to the elevator buttons to the pen you sign your credit card with – your hands touch the same things as everyone else.
Now, it’s up to you how far you want to go to avoid germs (or at least somewhat reduce your exposure).
Some people are wearing disposable gloves (remember if you choose this, you actually need to change them). Others are using Lysol wipes to open doors or push elevator buttons.
If you want to do all that – great – more power to ya.
But even simpler modifications like using your own pen when signing for a receipt or using your elbow to push the elevator button is smart.
And of course, wash your hands frequently.
Yes – Bring the Disposable Lysol Wipes
Here’s the thing – it would be easier to assume the hotel crew did their jobs and thoroughly cleaned your room.
But it’s likely they didn’t.
So you can accept your room how it is or take a quick moment when you enter and do some basic cleaning.
Since you truly don’t know who stayed in the room before you, take a quick moment and bust out your Lysol wipes and wipe down the common surface areas like the light switches, tv remote, toilet handle, sink faucet, etc.
You don’t need to go crazy and clean your entire room, but wiping down the surface areas is smart – especially post COVID-19 travel.
Think about how many grimy dirty hands have touched the remote control you are about to use.
Do you really want to touch it before cleaning it?
Even if you aren’t scared of the coronavirus, it’s noted that common surface areas in hotel rooms are already loaded with things like E. Coli, MRSA, and Staph.
This alone should be an incentive.
Ditch The Bedspread
Your hotel bedspread gets washed monthly at best – but more likely quarterly.
Do you really want to snuggle up and sleep with something covered in the bodily fluids of guests before you?
Probably not.
And if someone was sick with COVID-19, germs could still be lingering on your bedspread.
Play it safe and ditch the bedspread.
Some guests are even going so far as to bring their own pillow – but again that’s your choice.
Hotel Gym
If you’re the type who can’t go a day without working out (bless your heart), a visit to the hotel gym might be a must while traveling.
Don’t worry – you can still get your fix.
But when working out, take a moment to wipe down the equipment before you begin your workout, as well as after.
You can’t assume the person before you extended the courtesy of wiping down the equipment, and chances are the hotel crew hasn’t cleaned it either.
During this time, you might want to consider bringing your own towel to wipe off your post-workout sweat.
And it should go without saying – but don’t walk around a sauna or pool deck barefoot.
Changes Are Coming
It’s still unknown how hotels will adapt to ease the fears of travelers post COVID-19.
Some hotels have already begun to eliminate complimentary coffee stations and snack bars.
Others are canceling room service and doing away with breakfast buffets.
Things are bound to differ from hotel to hotel – but likely it’s going to make hotels even more uncomfortable for guests.
And while liberals and greedy hotel execs fought so hard to take away personal toiletry items from travelers — I bet they are regretting their decision now that they are forced to deal with the headache of communal hygiene items during a worldwide pandemic!
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