The Best Things You Must Bring When Traveling During COVID-19
COVID-19 changed everything. No more winging it.
Thinking ahead is more important than ever before when you're traveling during a pandemic. In times of uncertainty, you never know if businesses are going to be open. Inaccurate information online about store hours makes it difficult to follow an itinerary. Being around other people can be uncomfortable, and you feel like you're playing Russian roulette every time you touch something.
We've got a list of the 10 best things you need to stay safe and sane:
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Disposable Slippers
- Caffeine Gum
- Streaming Device
- Board Games
- Nintendo Switch
- Face Mask
- Hand Sanitizer
- Disposable Gloves
Disinfecting Wipes
This one is a no brainer. You will be using this pretty much non-stop. You should be wiping down the high contact areas in your hotel room as soon as you get there. This includes door handles, TV remotes, couches, lamp and light switches, faucets, alarm clocks, and phones. If you're traveling via any method other than driving your own car, cleaning wipes is used to wipe down your seat, headrest, armrests, seat adjusters, and tray tables.
Disposable Slippers
The floors are nasty! Assuming there's a new guest checking in every weekend, that's 52 different origins of germs added every year. This isn't something that vacuuming can remove. The good news is, slippers are one of the easiest things you can bring. They weigh next to nothing, and can be slipped into any crevice in your luggage since it's basically a sheet of paper.
Streaming Device
There's always a possibility that you are going to be stuck in your hotel room during your trip. Businesses could be closed or weather might be unpredictable. Now is the chance to catch up on all the shows you didn't have time for during your daily life. Most TVs in hotels have an HDMI input, so you can enjoy your entertainment on the big screen.
Board Games
Board games are one of the best social activities to pass the time. Sometimes you want a break from the TV screen. While board games come in all shapes and sizes, we found that the best board games for traveling are the following:
Caffeine Gum
When you need the pick-me-up but don't want to go through the trouble of finding coffee, caffeine gum is there for you. As you can imagine, this is perfect for when you are on the go and a detour is required to get to the nearest decent coffee shop. If you think that's difficult, imagine needing to find a public restroom when your bladder fills up. While not everyone can drink coffee, I've found that caffeine gum is able to provide a boost in energy without the negative side effects normally felt by a caffeine sensitive person. My caffeine-sensitive wife is not able to take a sip of my coffee without her vision blurring, but is perfectly fine chewing NeuroGum. We highly recommend it, two thumbs up!
Nintendo Switch
The most portable gaming system has to be the Nintendo Switch. Extra controllers are easy to bring, so everyone you're traveling with can play together. With its handheld mode, you can tend to your island on Animal Crossing while you're en route to your destination. Be sure to bring along a dock and HDMI cable so others can join the brawl in Smash Bros.
Face Masks
Almost all businesses require face masks for entry. If you plan on entering any restaurants, shops, malls, or hotels, you definitely need to have a face mask on you. In addition to indoor establishments, there may be mandatory "Mask Zones" in high traffic neighborhoods. This is usually only enforced during during peak hours. Forgot to pack a mask? Masks are now sold everywhere, but you are going to need someone wearing a mask to buy one for you! Looking for comfortable masks? We like this one:
Hand Sanitizer
This is the easiest way to clean your hands after you touch anything. When looking for a hand sanitizer, you want to make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol. All the other ingredients are nice to have, such as Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to help prevent your skin from drying out.
Disposable Gloves
Using too much hand sanitizer can dry out your hands. You can limit your physical contact by wearing gloves. Disposable gloves are cheap and you can toss them each time you're done. I carry a pack with me at all times. They are especially useful whenever I'm riding around New York City on a Citi Bike (NYC's official bike sharing system).
