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Worried About Coronavirus on the Subway? Here’s What We Know Worried About Coronavirus on the Subway? Here’s What We Know
(3 days later)
There is perhaps no place in America harder to escape crowds than the New York City subway, which, as the nation’s largest transit system, carries more than five million people every weekday.There is perhaps no place in America harder to escape crowds than the New York City subway, which, as the nation’s largest transit system, carries more than five million people every weekday.
During rush hour, commuters squeeze in to find any available space, with hands sharing poles and faces separated by inches.During rush hour, commuters squeeze in to find any available space, with hands sharing poles and faces separated by inches.
As cases of coronavirus increase in the United States and public health officials urge healthy Americans to avoid contact with those who are sick, many people who live and work in New York wonder how they can do that given the heavy reliance on public transit.As cases of coronavirus increase in the United States and public health officials urge healthy Americans to avoid contact with those who are sick, many people who live and work in New York wonder how they can do that given the heavy reliance on public transit.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the subway, buses and two commuter railroads, said late Monday that it had started a major cleaning of all equipment that called for an industrial-grade disinfectant to be applied to everything from train cars to MetroCard machines every 72 hours.The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the subway, buses and two commuter railroads, said late Monday that it had started a major cleaning of all equipment that called for an industrial-grade disinfectant to be applied to everything from train cars to MetroCard machines every 72 hours.
The authority’s announcement came a day before Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that the state had its second confirmed case of coronavirus, heightening public health concerns.The authority’s announcement came a day before Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said that the state had its second confirmed case of coronavirus, heightening public health concerns.
The patient, a man in his 50s, commuted regularly by Metro-North from Westchester County to a law firm in Midtown Manhattan, officials said. He had not traveled recently to any place with large concentrations of the virus and had not come into contact with an infected person, suggesting that the pathogen was spreading locally.The patient, a man in his 50s, commuted regularly by Metro-North from Westchester County to a law firm in Midtown Manhattan, officials said. He had not traveled recently to any place with large concentrations of the virus and had not come into contact with an infected person, suggesting that the pathogen was spreading locally.
Health officials have warned that the virus seems to spread easily, traveling through the air in tiny droplets produced when a sick person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The public is being urged to follow basic precautions like frequent hand-washing and staying home when sick.Health officials have warned that the virus seems to spread easily, traveling through the air in tiny droplets produced when a sick person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The public is being urged to follow basic precautions like frequent hand-washing and staying home when sick.
As you get ready to jostle with strangers aboard a jam-packed subway car, here’s what you need to know.As you get ready to jostle with strangers aboard a jam-packed subway car, here’s what you need to know.
On the list of places where New Yorkers could contract the virus, the subway might seem to pose a high risk: millions of people filling stations and train cars where coughs and sneezes are familiar sounds and countless strangers put their hands on seats and poles.On the list of places where New Yorkers could contract the virus, the subway might seem to pose a high risk: millions of people filling stations and train cars where coughs and sneezes are familiar sounds and countless strangers put their hands on seats and poles.
But epidemiologists said that the risk of transmission connected to using public transit is hard to accurately assess.But epidemiologists said that the risk of transmission connected to using public transit is hard to accurately assess.
Dr. Stephen S. Morse, an epidemiology professor at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, said that, generally speaking, two main factors determined the likelihood of contracting a virus in any given place: how crowded it is and how much time one spends there.Dr. Stephen S. Morse, an epidemiology professor at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, said that, generally speaking, two main factors determined the likelihood of contracting a virus in any given place: how crowded it is and how much time one spends there.
Yes, subway riders often stand shoulder to shoulder, which increases the chances of being on the receiving end of a sick person’s cough or sneeze. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that standing within six feet of a sick person could carry a risk of exposure.Yes, subway riders often stand shoulder to shoulder, which increases the chances of being on the receiving end of a sick person’s cough or sneeze. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that standing within six feet of a sick person could carry a risk of exposure.
But New Yorkers tend to spend less time on subways and buses than they do in other crowded spaces, like classrooms or offices, reducing the risk of being exposed to a virus during their daily commute.But New Yorkers tend to spend less time on subways and buses than they do in other crowded spaces, like classrooms or offices, reducing the risk of being exposed to a virus during their daily commute.
“The risk is probably as high as any other high-density setting, but the time of exposure is shorter,” Dr. Morse said.“The risk is probably as high as any other high-density setting, but the time of exposure is shorter,” Dr. Morse said.
Although research on the coronavirus is still in the early stages, a 2011 study on a possible influenza outbreak in New York City found that only 4 percent of infections would occur on the subway.Although research on the coronavirus is still in the early stages, a 2011 study on a possible influenza outbreak in New York City found that only 4 percent of infections would occur on the subway.
More aggressive disinfecting of subways and buses is important, but the steps that people take to protect themselves and others are even more critical to safeguarding public health, epidemiologists say.More aggressive disinfecting of subways and buses is important, but the steps that people take to protect themselves and others are even more critical to safeguarding public health, epidemiologists say.
“Human behavior is one of the most important factors in the transmission of these viruses,” Dr. Morse said.“Human behavior is one of the most important factors in the transmission of these viruses,” Dr. Morse said.
To protect yourself from any viral droplets you may have picked up on your commute, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer, once you get off a train or a bus.To protect yourself from any viral droplets you may have picked up on your commute, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer, once you get off a train or a bus.
You should also avoid touching your face with your hands because the viral droplets must enter through the eyes, nose or mouth to cause infection.You should also avoid touching your face with your hands because the viral droplets must enter through the eyes, nose or mouth to cause infection.
Be sure to cover any cough or sneeze with a tissue. And if you feel sick, you should certainly stay away from public transit.Be sure to cover any cough or sneeze with a tissue. And if you feel sick, you should certainly stay away from public transit.
“People have to start being really considerate and not going out and about when they are infected with anything, whether it’s the flu or coronavirus,” said Dr. Robyn R. M. Gershon, a professor of epidemiology at New York University’s School of Global Public Health.“People have to start being really considerate and not going out and about when they are infected with anything, whether it’s the flu or coronavirus,” said Dr. Robyn R. M. Gershon, a professor of epidemiology at New York University’s School of Global Public Health.
Preliminary research suggests that particles from the virus may be able survive on hard surfaces, like a metal pole in a subway car, for a few hours, according to the World Health Organization. (Scientists are uncertain whether a surface like a metal pole could carry enough of the virus to cause a person to become sick.)Preliminary research suggests that particles from the virus may be able survive on hard surfaces, like a metal pole in a subway car, for a few hours, according to the World Health Organization. (Scientists are uncertain whether a surface like a metal pole could carry enough of the virus to cause a person to become sick.)
If there are more confirmed cases in New York, those riding the subway should avoid directly touching a pole, turnstile or a seat with their hands, Dr. Gershon said. If you need to hold onto something, put a tissue between your hand and the pole or clean it with an anti-viral wipe before touching it, she suggested.If there are more confirmed cases in New York, those riding the subway should avoid directly touching a pole, turnstile or a seat with their hands, Dr. Gershon said. If you need to hold onto something, put a tissue between your hand and the pole or clean it with an anti-viral wipe before touching it, she suggested.
On Monday, the transportation authority announced that it was increasing its efforts to sanitize the subway, buses and commuter rail lines, Metro North and the Long Island Rail Road.On Monday, the transportation authority announced that it was increasing its efforts to sanitize the subway, buses and commuter rail lines, Metro North and the Long Island Rail Road.
Updated June 2, 2020 Updated June 5, 2020
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The authority said it would begin disinfecting all train cars and buses every three days with bleach and disinfectants typically used in hospitals and nursing homes. Cleaning crews will also scrub subway stations, including turnstiles, benches and ticket-vending machines, once a day with disinfectants.The authority said it would begin disinfecting all train cars and buses every three days with bleach and disinfectants typically used in hospitals and nursing homes. Cleaning crews will also scrub subway stations, including turnstiles, benches and ticket-vending machines, once a day with disinfectants.
“The safety of our customers and employees is our first priority as we continue to monitor the coronavirus,” said Patrick Warren, the authority’s chief safety officer. “The M.T.A. is enhancing its cleaning regimen across all our operating agencies to ensure the system is safe for everyone.”“The safety of our customers and employees is our first priority as we continue to monitor the coronavirus,” said Patrick Warren, the authority’s chief safety officer. “The M.T.A. is enhancing its cleaning regimen across all our operating agencies to ensure the system is safe for everyone.”
Authority officials have also contacted their counterparts at public transit systems in Japan and Europe and in other parts of the United States to explore other ways of disinfecting train cars and buses, officials said at a news conference on Tuesday.Authority officials have also contacted their counterparts at public transit systems in Japan and Europe and in other parts of the United States to explore other ways of disinfecting train cars and buses, officials said at a news conference on Tuesday.
From Monday evening to midday Tuesday, transit workers disinfected nearly all of the system’s 472 subway stations, over 1,900 subway cars and nearly 2,000 buses, officials said. The authority’s entire fleet of subway cars and buses would be disinfected within 72 hours. After that, officials said, the cleaning process would begin again.From Monday evening to midday Tuesday, transit workers disinfected nearly all of the system’s 472 subway stations, over 1,900 subway cars and nearly 2,000 buses, officials said. The authority’s entire fleet of subway cars and buses would be disinfected within 72 hours. After that, officials said, the cleaning process would begin again.
New Jersey Transit, which operates its own vast commuter rail and bus network, is also strengthening its cleaning regimen, using bleach or other anti-viral cleaning supplies to disinfect equipment and public facilities.New Jersey Transit, which operates its own vast commuter rail and bus network, is also strengthening its cleaning regimen, using bleach or other anti-viral cleaning supplies to disinfect equipment and public facilities.
The agency recently formed an internal task force, which includes workers from its medical staff, to monitor news about the virus, officials said.The agency recently formed an internal task force, which includes workers from its medical staff, to monitor news about the virus, officials said.
In other major cities experiencing outbreaks, transit officials have taken similar precautions. In Tehran, public health officials have said they are disinfecting buses at least four times a day and cleaning trains in the city’s subway system at the beginning and end of each line. In Italy, buses, trains and ferries are also being disinfected regularly.In other major cities experiencing outbreaks, transit officials have taken similar precautions. In Tehran, public health officials have said they are disinfecting buses at least four times a day and cleaning trains in the city’s subway system at the beginning and end of each line. In Italy, buses, trains and ferries are also being disinfected regularly.
If the outbreak becomes more serious, health officials may recommend that public transit officials adopt more drastic measures.If the outbreak becomes more serious, health officials may recommend that public transit officials adopt more drastic measures.
They could suggest steps to reduce crowds like limiting people’s use of subways and buses to travel that is absolutely essential, like going to and from work, or changing train schedules to discourage travel during peak hours.They could suggest steps to reduce crowds like limiting people’s use of subways and buses to travel that is absolutely essential, like going to and from work, or changing train schedules to discourage travel during peak hours.
Even in a severe pandemic, the C.D.C. recommends that essential services like public transit continue to operate so that health care workers and other emergency responders can get to work.Even in a severe pandemic, the C.D.C. recommends that essential services like public transit continue to operate so that health care workers and other emergency responders can get to work.
It is more likely that city officials would try to reduce the use of public transportation by asking businesses to stagger working hours, as happened during the 1918 influenza pandemic, or letting their employees work from home.It is more likely that city officials would try to reduce the use of public transportation by asking businesses to stagger working hours, as happened during the 1918 influenza pandemic, or letting their employees work from home.
In other cities around the world, some officials have taken more stringent steps to contain the virus’s spread by effectively quarantining entire cities.In other cities around the world, some officials have taken more stringent steps to contain the virus’s spread by effectively quarantining entire cities.
In China, government officials suspended public transit to and from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. In Italy, officials have set up roadblocks in at least 11 towns in the northern part of the country, which is among the most infected regions, to prevent people from leaving or entering the area.In China, government officials suspended public transit to and from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. In Italy, officials have set up roadblocks in at least 11 towns in the northern part of the country, which is among the most infected regions, to prevent people from leaving or entering the area.
“What we saw in Wuhan and elsewhere is really a last resort,” Dr. Morse said. “At that point there’s little else they can do to contain it.”“What we saw in Wuhan and elsewhere is really a last resort,” Dr. Morse said. “At that point there’s little else they can do to contain it.”