It鈥檚 the summer of the American road trip. COVID-19听has made 听and staying close to home a much听more appealing getaway option. Though many people have canceled or postponed vacations, it鈥檚 still possible to get out鈥攊f you plan very, very carefully and follow . We spoke with Dr. Sallie Permar, a professor of pediatrics, immunology, and microbiology at the Duke University School of Medicine, for advice on how even the crustiest dirtbags can stay clean on the go. In short, she said in an email, 鈥淩emember the three W鈥檚: wear a mask, wash hands, wait (maintain a six-foot distance)鈥攁nd enjoy the great outdoors.鈥
Cover Up and Stand Back
Masks have been shown to . If you鈥檙e in a public place, you should be wearing a mask or face covering听鈥渨henever you are indoors or outdoors, well before [being within] six feet of individuals who are not in your immediate family,鈥 Permar said.
That translates to听masking up at tightly spaced campsites and when passing others on hiking trails, too. Although increased airflow outside means a lower听chance听of transmission, face coverings further reduce risk. Plus, it鈥檚 common courtesy, and in , going barefaced can result in a fine.听
Keep Your Hands Clean
Permar听recommends washing or sanitizing听your hands 鈥渁ny time you are changing activities or locations鈥攁fter a car stop, after eating, after a bathroom trip, and听after going into and out of a building.鈥澨齇n the road or the trail, it can be tough to wash your hands regularly. While nothing beats soap and water for both cleaning and sanitizing, Permar suggests using听alcohol-based sanitizer (with听) to kill most bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19, if there isn鈥檛 visible dirt on your hands. Keep a bottle of 听($5)听in your car for a quick application after pit stops.听
At camp, all you need to set up an effective handwashing听station is clean听running听water and soap. While you鈥檙e scrubbing, Permar said, the most important thing to focus on is 鈥済etting soap everywhere, which takes 20 seconds to accomplish.鈥 At听dispersed sites, consider a water jug with a spigot, like 听($24),听or have a member of your group pour water over your hands. Make sure your soap is biodegradable, like 听($5). Leave-no-trace principles advise听using even eco-friendly cleansers 鈥攁nd never wash your hands or your dishes directly in the stream. Better yet, collect dirty water in a bin and pour it in a cathole when you鈥檙e done to avoid attracting wildlife.