Usage of public transport is unavoidable in this day and age, in fact it is better for the environment as it decreases the number of cars on the road. However, we should all take some hygiene precautions when travelling on public transport to ensure a safe trip.
Stay Safe & Hygienic On Public Transport
People who take the public transport are more likely to suffer from acute respiratory illnesses than those who travel in private vehicles. However, there is a silver lining: if you are a daily commuter, you are comparatively safer than an occasional commuter, because you have slowly been building up your immunity.
Till we get our head around which approach is the correct one, let us look at some of the methods through which we can keep ourselves safe from becoming ill while travelling in public transport.
Keep washing your hands
If gloves aren’t practical then don’t worry, we have another solution. All you need to make sure is that you wash your hands whenever you get to your destination. Make sure you wash your hands before eating your food or making contact with your face. If you are on the go and don’t have access to a washroom, then you can opt for a hand sanitiser instead.
Carry Tissues
This helps in more than one way. It will come handy when you are about to sneeze as well as when someone else around you starts sneezing. If a colleague or a stranger around is sneezing, press the tissue to your nose for 30 seconds and keep your eyes shut.
Stay away from your cell phone
Today, we are constantly in touch with our gadgets; laptops, computers, and tablets. While we spend time on these, we need to make sure that the surface and screens of all our devices are clean, especially the ones that come in close contact with the face i.e. your mobile. The reason being that when you bring your phone to your ear when somebody calls, this gives the germs time to pounce on to your body.
Change clothes as soon as you reach home
Majority of us have the habit of relaxing on our couches as soon as we get home. However, this increases the risk of you transmitting the germs to your sofa, couch, or even your bed. So, make sure you change into your favourite home clothes as soon as you reach home and put your dirty clothes in the laundry.
Timing is the key
This may not be possible for everyone but using public transport when it isn’t peak periods can really make your travel more hygienic. The simple logic being, less people, fewer chances of coming into contact with contagious bacteria from someone near you. Moreover, it is always better to find empty space in otherwise overcrowded buses, trains or ferries. Try leaving your home slightly earlier if you usually travel during high traffic times. Another effective way of reducing human contact while commuting is by using a SmartRider. This way you wouldn’t have to stand in a queue and/or stand close to people who might be carrying bacteria in their body. Using a SmartRider
Face Masks
They say desperate time calls for desperate measures. So if your city is infamous for the rising air pollution levels or if there are news of any communicable disease to break out ensure you get yourself air masks. It is one of the most efficient ways to keep bacteria, pollen, and dust away.
Wear gloves
There are high chances that you would look silly doing this in summers, but this is the season when the humidity levels are high, which together with pollution makes you irresistible for the bacteria. Wearing gloves safeguards you whenever you touch poles, seats and handlebars, which are also touched by everyone else. Simply put, you are avoiding skin contact wherever possible.
