Ridership of buses and subways has dropped way down in response to the current shutdowns, but many buses and trains are still overcrowded and do not allow adequate space between passengers. The reason for overcrowding appears to be the mass transit systems have cut back the numbers of trains and buses to save money in response the lower ridership.
Here is a recent story from New York about overcrowding there:
A similar problem exists in San Francisco:
Philadelphia has made changes to reduce overcrowding and to protect drivers:
If the cities are unwilling or unable to operate mass transit safely should the federal government shut down the systems?
Good thing for you that you don’t live in NYC. If you did you wouldn’t have much choice in who cares for you should you end up in a hospital.
I haven’t heard of any evidence that mass transit systems spread the virus any more than any other way. I have however heard of it demonstrably being spread at parties and funerals.
Also, not all hospitals are located near hotels or dorms. Transit is necessary for essential workers.
This is a purely ideological obstacle to preventing the spread of the disease. The local governments should immediately extend credit to these operators so they don’t have to cut back on services in the middle of a pandemic.
I do not understand why local governments are trying to pinch pennies right now. They will be compensated when we survive this so they should stop being so cheap.
I didn’t say it spread it more. Large closely packed gatherings. It doesn’t matter what the scenario is or who has to take what. That’s how it spreads.
I’ll tell this this much. If given a choice, I’d attend an outdoor party long before I rode a packed subway car.
I agree that the issue of crowded mass transit has generally been ignored, especially in the national media. That does not mean it is not a problem.
For example here are reports of the high rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths among transit drivers in New York and Philadelphia:
The second article notes the extraordinary high death rate for MTA transit workers:
But transit workers continue to die from Covid-19. They’ve died at three times the combined rate of the city’s police and fire departments, which employ first responders like EMS workers.
41 New York transit workers have died as of April 8.
Yes, mass transit systems do not spread disease. People crowded into mass transit systems during an epidemic do.
The NY Daily News article also notes that until recently the CDC did not recommend face masks for the general public, but it changed that recommendation.
How many people have been infected because someone sneezed on a crowded train or bus without wearing a mask?
But it’s excused. But damn those parties and those selfish bums that put everyone at risk by going to the beach. I realize one isn’t essential. But both accomplish the same thing everyone is trying to prevent. But hey, it’s perfectly ok for a health care worker to ride a crowded subway on their way to work at an assisted living facility. You know, the places that are locked down not allowing anyone to visit.
