Want to reduce your risk of getting another respiratory virus?
Consider doing a Tom Hanks then…
Although many are aware of the benefits of avoiding infection from inhaled respiratory viruses, most people are not in the habit of taking the precautions necessary for prevention. However, there is an option – do a Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks explained his train travelling exploits in a mask as:
“I am doing a play right now, so I cannot afford to get sick.”
“I have had COVID enough in my life; I don’t want to do that again.”
“I am wearing this for health reasons.”
Doing a Tom Hanks will reduce (but not eliminate) your risk. Here is how to do it…
PLAN, IDENTIFY & KNOW
- Think ahead and identify the events in your calendar which would be intolerable to miss through sickness and act to minimize exposure for a minimum of 3 weeks in the run up to the event.
- Identify the events in your day where you are at the greatest risk of inhaling virus, e.g.,
- Public transport: buses, trains, planes
- Visits to the hospital or anywhere where you are physically close to people indoors for periods of time, especially where the ventilation is poor
- Restaurants & bars
- Identify the people in your life who are most likely to expose you to a respiratory virus.
- People who have symptoms of a respiratory infection
- People who have been close to people who have a respiratory infection
- Children who may have been infected at school
- Know the community incidence (it’s a good indicator of when the risk is highest).
ACT
- Wear a mask – a well-fitting FFP2 or N95 when on public transport (for buses and trains with windows that open, sit by one that is open). Wear a mask on every visit to a hospital or healthcare facility.
- Always carry a well-fitted FFP2 or N95 with you should a situation change unexpectedly, e.g., someone starts coughing.
- Delay visits to people who are or have recently been ill (meet virtually until you are sure they are well).
- If you meet somebody outdoors who has obvious respiratory symptoms – stand upwind and politely excuse yourself.
- Enjoy visits and walks outdoors. Take outdoor options wherever possible, e.g., for restaurants or bars, especially when community incidence is high.
- If an event is indoors, ask about the ventilation. If it’s in your control, ask people not to attend if they currently have a respiratory infection or have been recently exposed. Wear a mask.
- If an event is in your home, optimize the ventilation, e.g., create a crossflow by opening windows. Again, ask people not to come who are or have recently been ill or exposed. Use a HEPA filter, which will remove viruses and other pathogens from the air.
- Plan for managing a family member with a respiratory infection in your home, e.g., how will you optimize the ventilation, or use a HEPA to filter the air. Can you allocate them their own bedroom & toilet? Plan to wear a mask whilst caring for them and when in the same room. Ask them to wear a mask when they venture out of their room.
- Tell people you are working hard not to get sick (again) and want the joyous experience of memorable events – not repeated ill-health.
- Be ready for people asking why you are masking now, and, akin to Tom Hanks, consider a response of…
I have important events I do not want to miss by being sick. I am done with avoidable respiratory viruses.
Vaccinations work. Masks work. Preventing inhalation of viruses works.
Last reviewed on
December 11, 2025
