logo
Wear an N95 and avoid sushi: Expert tips for flying sickness-free

Wear an N95 and avoid sushi: Expert tips for flying sickness-free

Independenta day ago

Nearly six million Americans are expected to travel this Fourth of July weekend, increasing the risk of spreading and contracting illness.
Experts say travelers should practice diligent hand hygiene, using sanitizers and wipes, and avoid touching contaminated surfaces like TSA bins and check-in kiosks.
Food safety is crucial; avoid pre-made sandwiches, sushi, and dairy products that may not be temperature-controlled to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Wearing a face mask, especially an N95, can help filter germs and prevent face-touching, while being well-rested and vaccinated before travel also boosts immunity.
To minimize exposure, experts recommend avoiding crowded areas by checking in online or traveling during off-peak hours, and staying informed about health advisories.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Seven ways to save money on your family holiday this summer
Seven ways to save money on your family holiday this summer

The Independent

time42 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Seven ways to save money on your family holiday this summer

Families preparing for summer holidays abroad are being urged to meticulously plan their finances, as new research reveals a significant number are blowing their budgets by hundreds of pounds. A recent survey by Post Office Travel Money indicates that while more than three-quarters (78 per cent) of families are set to travel internationally soon. However, nearly the same proportion (74 per cent) admitted to overspending on their last trip. The Post Office's Holiday Spending Report, released earlier in June, found that families typically exceeded their allocated resort costs – including meals and drinks – by an average of £323. The average family surveyed spent £1,089 against an initial budget of £766. The findings, based on two surveys of over 2,000 people conducted in April and May, highlight the need for careful financial planning to avoid unexpected expenses. 1. Look for a resort where the cost of living is low The Post Office said holidaymakers surveyed in its research rated Spain and Turkey strongly for value. It may also be worth asking friends and family members for their recommendations. 2. Cut the cost of meals and drinks Busy beachside cafes and restaurants in tourist hotspots may be pricier than the places where local residents choose to eat. Local draught beers and carafe wine may also sometimes be less expensive than international brands. 3. Pick a destination where sterling is strong Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, said: 'Despite fluctuations and some uncertainty about sterling when it fell against key currencies earlier in the year, it has now bounced back from its January dip and currently looks stable. This is a reassuring trend for holidaymakers planning trips abroad this year.' Some holidaymakers may have booked to travel to the United States following the strengthening of sterling against the US dollar. The Post Office suggested that holidaymakers may also consider locations where currencies are pegged to the value of the US dollar. 4. Consider self-catering or 'all inclusive' packages Self-catering breaks enable holidaymakers to set their own food and drink budgets. Past Post Office research has indicated that the Balearic Islands offer good value shop prices, while supermarkets in the Algarve and the Costa del Sol have also been seen as offering good value. The Post Office said going all inclusive can also be a good way to rein in costs but urged people to make sure they check what is included in the package price so they do not end up paying unexpectedly for extras. 5. Budget carefully The Post Office suggested setting a realistic budget to cover all costs as well as researching the best exchange rates before travelling and avoiding fees for topping up holiday money spending while abroad. Some holidaymakers may want to consider a pre-paid currency card, or look at banks which do not charge foreign transaction fees. Ms Plunkett said: 'Paying on a debit or credit card may seem like a convenient way to pay for things while abroad, but our research suggests that this can be a costly practice. Far too many holidaymakers told us that they paid significantly more than they anticipated because of transaction charges made for using credit and debit cards at an overseas ATM.' 6. Consider making a shorter trip The Post Office research found some holidaymakers are cutting their costs by making shorter trips, or booking cheaper accommodation to afford their trip abroad. 7. Sidestep 'pester power' Parents told the Post Office that on their last holiday they spent an average of more than £200 on children's beach items such as buckets and spades, swimming masks and snorkels, water rides, ice creams and visits to water parks. Families could consider allowing children to have a set amount of pocket money to spend during their holiday.

Thousands of motorists stranded for up to eight hours after heavy rains trigger mudslides in West Virginia
Thousands of motorists stranded for up to eight hours after heavy rains trigger mudslides in West Virginia

The Independent

time4 hours ago

  • The Independent

Thousands of motorists stranded for up to eight hours after heavy rains trigger mudslides in West Virginia

Thousands of motorists were stuck for more than eight hours along a West Virginia interstate after heavy rains caused a mudslide that blocked a storm drain – flooding and shutting down part of the roadway. Traffic was backed up for 12 miles on the northbound side of the West Virginia Turnpike – and not rerouted – early Friday, leaving scores of people stuck in their cars overnight. While one lane reopened later that morning, traffic remained at a standstill for up to eight hours, CBS News reported. No injuries were reported, and authorities said they are 'examining and revising their policies on Turnpike closures and detours.' "Traffic should have been detoured to allow drivers an alternate route around the mudslide," Executive Director of the Parkways Authority Chuck Smith said in the statement. "The Parkways Authority takes full responsibility for the failure to reroute traffic, and would like to assure the public that this will never happen again. As the standstill was happening, motorists posted to social media that they were stuck without food or water – and without knowing why they were unable to move. One motorist, Nicky Walters, told the Associated Press she felt fortunate that she didn't need any medication during that time frame, or have anyone else to be looking after while being so unprepared to be stuck on the road. 'But I felt desperate because I knew that other people needed help,' Walters said. 'People needed, at minimum, water bottles passed out and some snacks, much less information. They needed any lifeline to the outside world, and there was none.' Another traveler who got stuck, Brittany Lemon, said by the time her family returned home it had been 24 hours since they left their vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In a video shared to Facebook, Lemon said they had no water and her children needed to use the bathroom. She said they were able to get an hour of sleep while stuck on the highway. 'Definitely next year when I go back, I'll be prepared for an emergency in the vehicle,' she said. Meanwhile, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement that the shutdown 'was completely unacceptable. I have directed the Parkways Authority to immediately conduct an investigation and revise its procedures as necessary as a result of this incident.'

Warning as traveler claims four letters on your boarding pass means extra TSA checks
Warning as traveler claims four letters on your boarding pass means extra TSA checks

Daily Mail​

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Warning as traveler claims four letters on your boarding pass means extra TSA checks

A travel expert has gone viral after revealing the meaning behind the dreaded 'SSSS' printed on some boarding passes — a code that can lead to extra TSA screening and major airport delays. Chloe Jade Meltzer, 30, who has visited over 156 countries, was flying from Germany to New York when she noticed the four letters on her ticket. It stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection, a designation she says is 'a pain to deal with' and most often applies to flights heading into the United States. 'Basically, it means that you've been flagged for extra security checks before you can board your flight,' she explained. 'This is always related to flying into the United States, and it's usually for international travel.' Meltzer has traveled to more than 156 countries and admitted she receives tickets with quadruple S' quite often. 'The first few times that you get it it can feel a bit daunting or scary. Especially if you are someone who is not a US citizen and you are about to fly into the United States,' she wrote on TikTok. Metlzer revealed that fliers could get them for many reasons, including inconsistent passports, one-way flights, purchasing a ticket with cash, names matching someone on a watchlist, or completely random. Meltzer has been to over 156 countries, and recently had 'SSSS' on her boarding pass when flying to New York from Germany The content creator explained everything that usually happens because of a ticket's 'SSSS' label in a video she posted last April. Meltzer revealed travelers will be pulled aside to the gate before boarding and be taken to 'a little corner.' However, employees usually bring the unlucky ticketholder off to the side. 'You'll get either a pat down, a detailed search of your luggage, or your hands and your bags will be wiped, and they'll be tested for explosives,' Meltzer explained. She continued by saying employees could potentially ask questions such as where they're flying to and how long they've stayed at a destination. The TikToker claimed the process could make fliers feel 'very targeted' but that all these steps would be going on for other people around them with 'SSSS' on their passes. 'I personally don't like this because it takes longer. You can't do this before boarding, they do it exactly at boarding,' she stated. While Meltzer has expressed disdain toward 'SSSS,' she deals with it, and revealed her one-way flights and passport irregularities might be the reasons why this happens to her often. Multiple TikTok users shared their own memorable experiences as 'SSSS' boarding pass holders. 'I got it when I was 15, didn't even know minors could be selected for it, even the employees at the gate seemed embarrassed and a bit lost,' a commenter wrote. 'I had it for all flights for two years after I studied abroad in Istanbul. First time the gate agent didn't do the boarding pass right and caused me to miss my flight and have to,' another traveler responded. 'The last time I had it happen flying from Rome to JFK every single person who was being screened was a blonde between the ages of 20-40. Hard to believe it was randomized,' a flier claimed. Fliers have the option to apply for a redress number, an identifier issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to individuals who have experienced difficulties during security screenings at airports or other transportation hubs. 'The DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program can provide resolution to travelers with difficulties getting through security and inspection at airport checkpoints, train stations, and when crossing U.S. borders,' the agency shared on its website. This can be applied to domestic and international travelers, and while redress numbers can be used for future bookings, it does not mean the applicant will never see 'SSSS' again. Meltzer admitted that even though she should do this, she's been a 'bit lazy.' Airline travel has become more complicated for travelers over the past year, partially because of the controversial Real ID requirement for travel. The new ID resulted in DMVs nationwide being flooded with travelers looking to get one before the May deadline.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store