Now that COVID-19 has triggered a global pandemic, here’s what you should be doing

BOSTON — As the World Health Organization declares the novel coronavirus spread a global pandemic and Governor Baker announcing a state of emergency in Massachusetts, questions arise on how will that impact people’s daily lives.

On Wednesday night, President Trump announced a travel ban between the U.S. and Europe for the next 30 days and the NBA canceled the rest of their 2020 season as concerns grow. On the same night, Tom Hanks announced he and his wife contracted the virus while traveling abroad.

So, what should you do?

It all depends on your lifestyle, according to Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

While you can still travel by plane and or train, Mina says you should try to limit being around a lot of people. Airlines and businesses have been working to make sure everything is sanitized and clean to help curb the spread of the virus.

“It’s something that we feel very uncomfortable with as a population, we’re not used to having to take these sorts of measures,” said Mina.

Mina says that, for some, these measures might seem a bit exaggerated, but he believes now is the time to start limiting your exposure to people, especially if you come in close contact with young children or older people - two groups that are most vulnerable to the disease.

Right now, Mina says that not enough people are being tested, which makes tracking who may be carrying the virus very difficult.

“You don’t know who is really at the highest risk anymore for spreading it, it could be somebody you’re sitting next to on the bus, it could be somebody you’re sitting next to on the T, it could be your work colleague,” said Mina.

He says he’d even consider not attending a wedding or visiting newborns, family members over the age of 65 or anyone who might be immunocompromised.

“These are very big social disruptions but they might very well save many many lives,” said Mina.

Practicing social distance, according to Mina, is mostly a measure to protect those who may not be able to recover from the virus, even if you;re healthy enough to get through it.

© 2020 Cox Media Group