You might not be 100% safe from COVID-19 if you’re voting early this week. But you can still vote in-person while minimizing risk. 

Dr. Daniel Morgan is a professor of epidemiology & public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

In an interview for WYPR’s podcast The Daily Dose, he said he voted by mail because it’s easier, but would still feel comfortable voting at the polls. 

“So long as people have a mask, they maintain social distancing, they ideally bring an alcohol gel rub...I think that voting can be done safely,” Morgan said. 

Baltimore City recently reversed a plan to check the temperature of everyone voting early. Morgan said this doesn’t reduce safety.

“The temperature scanners are very inaccurate,” he said. “Self-reported symptoms are scientifically much more valid and are much more likely to catch people who are at risk for spreading COVID.” 

Morgan said if you’re planning to vote in-person, you should try to vote early and make sure you have a safe plan for getting to the polls.