The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyone’s life. Everything from where we work, learn, or how we shop is being affected. While online working, learning, and shopping has increased there are still many who either drive or travel, whether by necessity, or choice. Some things just can’t be done virtually or online.
Driving a car to the store or other necessary business means we need to be careful. Likewise, many use ride-sharing companies or taxis to get where they need to go. Finally, some people are traveling across the country whether on business, vacation, or work as in the case of truck drivers. The question is how safe is traveling in a vehicle in the middle of a pandemic? How can one be exposed to COVID-19 while driving or riding in a vehicle?
Clean Before You Drive
It’s not the actual driving that is the problem with COVID-19, but it is what you do before, during, and after that may allow you to become infected. Consider the steering wheel, seats, door handles, and any passengers they may travel with you. When you leave home you know what is in your house, but when you touch your door handle and touch the vehicle door handle are you contaminating these surfaces? Or did you sanitize that steering wheel the last time you drove your vehicle?
When you left the supermarket or other business did you sanitize your hands before you opened the vehicle door, or touch the steering wheel? There are so many areas that can become contaminated that we can lose track after a while. Sanitizing your hands often is still the best way to prevent spread and further contamination. Finally, sanitizing your hands before you touch your keys can also prevent spreading any contamination. The best way to prevent any spread is by wearing gloves. But, even they can pick up the COVID-19 germs and spread to other surfaces. Some people sanitize their gloves, but that can defeat the purpose.
Riding With Passengers
If you have passengers that travel with you, unless they are members of your household you should wear a mask. Driving with a face covering is usually unnecessary, but if you do not live with or you are not familiar with the passenger, then wear a face covering. Another consideration is if you wear glasses then you know that a mask or face covering can lead to foggy glasses and impaired driving so you may need to make adjustments.
Be Careful At The Gas Pump
We know that transmission of the novel coronavirus is most likely from person to person. However, we also know that it can remain alive on a surface, like a gas pump for up to seventy-two hours. Becoming contaminated with the virus from touching the gas pump handle is possible, but is less likely than person to person. Since it is possible, then best practices are to sanitize before and after pumping gas. Also, whether you go inside to pay or just pay at the pump, those machines are probably not sanitized.
There are no studies to determine if anyone has actually contracted the virus from a gas pump, but we know that it is a viable surface for transmission. So be careful whether you are filling up at the same place regularly or filling up on a long trip. Since most people purchase gas at a convenience store, we should remind you that every surface in the store may be contaminated. That also includes the ATM and the door handle that you just used to go in and out of the store.
Ride Sharing
Uber, Lyft and even regular taxis continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lyft and Uber have taken measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and their drivers. Uber requires both drivers and passengers to wear masks while riding. Drivers must take a photo of themselves wearing a mask before they begin a shift or picking up passengers. Uber is also providing Clorox disinfecting wipes to drivers to use between passengers.
Like Uber, Lyft is requiring face coverings by drivers and passengers alike. Lyft is also providing cleaning supplies for the drivers. Both companies are requiring their drivers to follow CDC guidelines and are asking anyone that may have been exposed to COVID-19 to stay home. Each company allows their drivers to refuse riders for health and safety reasons.
Taxis are independent companies and should follow CDC guidelines. You should always wear a face-covering if you are a passenger or driver in any shared riding experience. You can always ask the taxi or other shared-ride driver if their vehicles have been sanitized since the last passenger. Finally, you can carry your own sanitary wipes, but should not be necessary. If the drivers follow CDC guidelines you should be able to enjoy a safe ride experience and not concern yourself with exposure.
Defensive Driving And COVID-19
Driving safely requires you to be a good defensive driver. Watching out for the other driver, and other causes of accidents makes one a good defensive driver. Unfortunately, we have to add face coverings and sanitization to the list of defensive driving habits. This time you are defending yourself from contamination with the COVID-19 virus. Sanitizing your hands is enough but often your hands touch many surfaces before you can do that so it may be necessary to sanitize door handles, and steering wheels, and to use sanitizing wipes after transporting non-family members. Just use caution and take steps to prevent picking up the virus from a contaminated surface. Cleaning the steering wheel after you use it will help the next person if it is not yourself.
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