Next time you fly, be sure to bring anti-bacterial wipes. An emergency room doctor told HuffPost that the first thing she does on every flight is sanitize the tray table.
That’s because they can be covered with bacteria and viruses which can live on tray tables for hours. The article states that “cold germs can live on surfaces up to one week, and the flu can live up to 48 hours. COVID-19 can live from a few hours to a few days.”
Airlines do their best to clean up planes between flights, but there is not enough time for a deep clean, so it’s up to passengers to protect themselves. The ER doctor recommends wiping down the tray table as soon as you sit down. That’s because a study on airline hygiene found that tray tables are the “germiest place on a plane or in an airport, with almost double the bacteria of the next germiest spot: the airport drinking fountain.”
For added protection, the doctor says she wipes down every surface that is wipeable. So, take the time to clean the seat belt and arm rest as well.
Before you board, the doctor recommends you apply sunscreen. That’s because UV rays are much stronger in the sky than on the ground. Apparently, even with the window shade closed, you are still getting exposure.
What’s the first thing you do when you board a flight? Message The Seniors Trust on Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter) and let us know if sanitizing your seatback tray is now top on your list.
