13 places that doctors do not recommend visiting during a pandemic

Even if your favorite establishments reopen during quarantine, COVID-19 still poses a risk. Doctors recommend thinking twice before visiting one of these 13 public places, writes Reader's Digest.

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“The places with the greatest risk of COVID-19 transmission are indoor and congregate settings,” says Sarah Keith, MD, assistant professor of surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City. “Low-risk places are outside where people wear masks and have room for social distancing.”

“Summer can bring a lot of problems, especially in places like Florida,” warns Dr. Keith. “Visiting the beach with a face mask and plenty of space between visitors is relatively safe, as is getting a haircut outside when both people are wearing masks.”

Neha Vyas, MD, family medicine specialist at the Cleveland, Ohio Clinic, explains: “For some people, I would recommend complete isolation based on their individual risk profile. Another may be worth the risk and go to these places. ”

Bottom line: it’s still important to keep a distance in public places until we get the vaccine. A study in May 2020 by Health Issues showed that where there are no guidelines for social distance, there can be 35 times more cases of COVID-19 than in places where 6-foot distance protocols are used (1,8, XNUMX meters).

So, where do doctors go and do not recommend to us?

Public toilets

If you can avoid public restrooms, this is usually for the best. But if not, then keep clean, says Dr. Vyas.

“If I'm going somewhere and I absolutely have to use a public restroom, I'll be very careful about when it's been cleaned,” she says. — I'll wash my hands and make sure there are enough paper towels. I wash my hands again before I leave.”

Bank

If you can do most of your banking electronically, try to avoid going to this financial institution. Money is one of the dirtiest objects we touch. Therefore, to reduce the risk of transmission of infection, it is better to use credit and debit cards rather than banknotes.

“I try to limit cash,” says Dr. Vyas. — I think it’s better to use a credit card and clean it rather than cash, because bills are very dirty. If you're dealing with a lot of money, you have to be very careful."

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Small crowded restaurants

Perhaps the cozy cafe was your favorite place before the pandemic. But for now, you should not go to cramped restaurants.

“Great caution should be exercised in areas where tables are not spaced at a safe distance,” says Dr. Vyas. “Of course, you can’t wear a mask while eating, but I would like to see kitchen staff and servers wearing them.”

Bars

If you're itching to get back to your local bar this summer, it might be best to wait. Dr. Keith suggests staying away from indoor bars for now. “Bars actually pose quite a high risk because there are so many surfaces: door handles, countertops, tables. They are touched frequently and it is difficult, especially in crowded environments, to disinfect the surface after each client. In addition, when people drink, they are less careful,” she emphasized.

If you still go to the bar, choose a site on the street and keep a social distance. Be careful with surfaces. If you attend or conduct an event with people, it is better to do this also in the fresh air, in a group of no more than 10 people.

Churches

Like most other rooms, Dr. Kate does not recommend going to temples as a closed public place. But if your church can adapt to offer services in safer conditions, you may be able to go.

“A lot of places are really adapting. For example, the synagogue I go to provides outdoor services. There are a limited number of people who can visit her,” the doctor shares his experience. “They are sent a health questionnaire in advance, and everyone must wear a mask.”

Find out what your church is offering and keep in mind that any services that require close contact should not be conducted.

Sports clubs

Considering how often and profusely people sweat in gyms, even outside a pandemic it is obvious that this is not the cleanest place. A study in Sports Health: An Interdisciplinary Approach conducted in 2019 showed that up to 25 percent of the surfaces in the gym tested positive for drug-resistant bacteria and influenza pathogens. The good news: when the gyms followed the infection control protocols, they managed to destroy the presence of bacteria from almost all surfaces. But all the halls are different, so you need to weigh all the risks associated with training, and ensure that all surfaces that you touch are disinfected: from the treadmill to the dumbbells.

For those who love sports, Dr. Kate suggests doing this as early as possible.

“I tell my older patients to go outside and exercise early in the morning with a mask because there are fewer people around,” she explains.

On the subject: How not to get coronavirus in the elevator: CDC recommendations

Community Pools

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that so far there is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted through water, being in the pool is still dangerous.

“Water certainly reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and chlorine reduces a lot of the viral load, but if you're in a crowded pool where everyone is standing in shallow water breathing on each other, it's not ideal conditions,” explains Dr. Keith. — I think pools in New York will not be open this summer. One of the reasons is that there is no way to truly socially distance everyone from each other.”

If you can't maintain proper social distancing, Dr. Keith and Dr. Vyas recommend staying away from the pool for now. But beaches are fairly safe because it's easier to social distance - diving in the water is generally encouraged.

Spa

After several months of quarantine, I want to take advantage of the relaxing spa treatments. But Dr. Kate believes that a lot depends on how long you will be there and what services you choose.

“Quick services like a haircut or manicure are fine because they require a limited time, and as long as both parties wear masks, I think there will be no problem,” she says.

But you should not spend half a day or all day in the spa. You should also avoid saunas and steam rooms.

“High temperature can create an environment very similar to a petri dish,” says Dr. Keith. “It’s also very difficult to sterilize these areas.”

Shopping centers

Like bars, shopping centers also have many surfaces that quickly become dirty. Escalator railings, clothing racks, elevator buttons, literally everything in a fitting room are now potential sources of virus transmission that are difficult to disinfect.

"I'm still wary of indoor malls," says Dr. Kate, who recommends sticking with delivery or curbside pickup for now. “I would stick with it as long as possible.” It's probably important for us to look at this as a long-term lifestyle adjustment until there's a vaccine, because it's hard to control how often things get cleaned."

Concerts

While many states canceled major field events this summer, doctors do not recommend attending concerts that have not yet been canceled.

“It's best to stay away from concerts and places where people usually gather,” warns Dr. Vyas. “If I see an orderly line, like in a supermarket, and everyone in it is six feet apart, everything will be fine.” But if there’s just a lot of people, I’ll try not to go there.”

Bowling lanes

Just think about all the surfaces that people touch during one round of bowling, the doctor draws attention. According to her, from the shoes that you rent to the balls that you touch, there are plenty of opportunities for transfer.

“These places are so difficult to clean between guests and to disinfect everything around! Even air filtration systems can cover COVID-19. ”

Theaters

They end up on Dr. Kate's off-limits list for the same reason as other places: you're inside, in close proximity to others, and there are plenty of surfaces you can come into contact with. Plus, there are other, safer options for movie entertainment, from streaming services to drive-in theaters.

Amusement park

Although amusement parks will introduce new rules to prevent virus infection, some of the favorites still open with mandatory reservations.

“Many amusement park rides have areas that cannot be cleaned,” explains Dr. Keith. So she doesn't recommend traditional theme park activities, but says driving safaris can be a fun and safe alternative.

Where to go: doctor’s office

“People are afraid to go to the doctor's office,” says Dr. Vyas. “We are doing everything possible to keep patients safe.” We had to get rid of several chairs in our office to prevent you from sitting next to other visitors. We have signs everywhere to stay six feet apart. But people continue to get nervous and refuse medical help.”

If you are worried about the risk of exposure to the virus in your doctor’s office or clinic, but you need an examination or procedure, first find out what precautions are being taken at your medical center instead of just postponing the visit.

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