← Return to Tips: Traveling to Mayo to get medical care safely during COVID-19

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@sueinmn

@mpeters HI - as far as safety in using the restrooms, while they have found evidence of covid-19 in fecal matter, I do not believe there is evidence of fecal transmission - you would have to touch the contaminated site and then your face or mouth. So...use good hygiene practices on your part.
That said, we just made a 1500 mile trip, through not only hotels, but many (questionable) truck stops and rest areas. We each carried a little ziploc baggie with sanitizer wipes into every stop, and wiped down surfaces before using. I finished the wipe down in restrooms by wiping the handle and seat of the commode before using. I also carried paper towels because I personally don't think hand dryers are very sanitary.
We (usually) travel extensively, spending many nights in hotels every year, and have always used our own sanitizers on surfaces upon entering. In addition we carry a small bottle of dish detergent to wash things and our own roll of paper towels, this time I added my own towel on which to set them to dry. I have never worried about using the plastic-wrapped glasses, the tissues or tp in hotel rooms and still don't. We do bring our own pillows, but our experience on this trip was that hotels are really working to keep everything clean and everyone safe. May I ask why you are bringing an air mattress?
If you choose to wear gloves, please remember that once worn they are biowaste and removed and need to be disposed of correctly or you risk contaminating yourself and others.
Safe travels!
Sue

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Replies to "@mpeters HI - as far as safety in using the restrooms, while they have found evidence..."

Thanks, the gloves are cleaning only. I realize gloves are not recommended except in special circumstances like food handlers. I watched a Mayo podcast this morning with Dr. Poland, who is a viralogist. He said unless the toilet lid is down before and after using the toilet, viruses will be all over the room. It was in reference to stool. Air mattress? I would love to give that up. The bed is a soft surface, so virus should be gone within the three days that the room is empty. Do I have that right? I would still bring my own pillows and get rid of the bedspread. Dr. Poland says he sprays the bottom of his shoes when he comes home and they stay in his garage.