Airport travel
The airport's cargo activity, led by the Fedex Express World Hub, remains strong. Total cargo weight handled in September increased nearly 17.5% from the year before, as Memphis-based Fedex has thrived amid the pandemic.
When a COVID-19 vaccine is widely distributed and embraced, airport traffic should “go up exponentially and we will have a much better year than what we anticipated,” Brockman said. Early study results from Pfizer and collaborator Biontech released Monday indicate their vaccine prevented more than 90% of infections from the COVID-19 virus.
On its website, the Memphis International Airport says it is frequently cleaning and sanitizing high-contact areas such as gates and the security checkpoint. Floor markings are in place to demonstrate proper social distancing. Each of the airlines has its own COVID-19 procedures and policies.
A study by Harvard scientists released in October and paid for by airlines, airplane manufacturers and airports said air travel “is as safe as or substantially safer than the routine activities people undertake during these times” such as grocery shopping or dining out. Airplanes' ventilation systems, wearing face masks and social distancing getting on and off the plane are among the factors keeping flying safe, it said.
Two studies in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases indicated COVID-19 can spread on lengthy airline flights, but both examined flights that occurred in March and didn't specify if passengers were wearing masks, USA TODAY reported.
Tips for air travel safety published by USA TODAY in June include keeping airplane air vents open to improve ventilation, selecting the window seat to reduce exposure and consider taking shorter flights instead of one extended flight to limit time next to someone who could have COVID-19.
Max Garland covers Fedex, logistics and health care for The Commercial Appeal. Reach him at max.garland@commercialappeal.com or 901-529-2651 and on Twitter @Maxgarlandtypes.