'With Over Two Dozen Deaths, London Bus Drivers Fear Coronavirus Risk' diff viewer (0/1)

This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on May 02, 2020 08:36 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/world/europe/coronavirus-london-buses.html

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next version

Version 0	Version 1
With Over Two Dozen Deaths, London Bus Drivers Fear Coronavirus Risk	With Over Two Dozen Deaths, London Bus Drivers Fear Coronavirus Risk
2020-05-02 08:38:15 UTC	2020-06-06 21:18:46 UTC (about 1 month later)
London is a city gone quiet. Yet, with a stringent coronavirus lockdown in place and the normal bustle largely halted, bold red buses are still winding their way through the sprawling capital offering frequent service.	London is a city gone quiet. Yet, with a stringent coronavirus lockdown in place and the normal bustle largely halted, bold red buses are still winding their way through the sprawling capital offering frequent service.
The buses are needed to keep essential workers moving — though often transporting only a scattering of riders at a time — and their drivers have spent the weeks since the outbreak plying their usual routes.	The buses are needed to keep essential workers moving — though often transporting only a scattering of riders at a time — and their drivers have spent the weeks since the outbreak plying their usual routes.
Now, more than two dozen of those drivers are dead as a result of the virus and some say they fear for their lives, despite new safety measures put in place in recent days.	Now, more than two dozen of those drivers are dead as a result of the virus and some say they fear for their lives, despite new safety measures put in place in recent days.
“I think we all feel the fact that it could be any one of us,” said Lorraine, 62, who drives a route in South London. She asked that her last name not be used so she does not lose her job. While conditions have improved in recent days, she said, the past several weeks had worn on her.	“I think we all feel the fact that it could be any one of us,” said Lorraine, 62, who drives a route in South London. She asked that her last name not be used so she does not lose her job. While conditions have improved in recent days, she said, the past several weeks had worn on her.
“To be quite honest, I’ve felt real fear,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve felt such fear in all my life that I could die.”	“To be quite honest, I’ve felt real fear,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve felt such fear in all my life that I could die.”
At least 37 of London’s transportation workers, including 28 bus drivers, have died from the coronavirus since the outbreak began in hard-hit Britain, according to the latest numbers, released on Friday by Transport for London or TfL, the government body that manages public transportation in the city. Around 27,000 people work for TfL, the group said.	At least 37 of London’s transportation workers, including 28 bus drivers, have died from the coronavirus since the outbreak began in hard-hit Britain, according to the latest numbers, released on Friday by Transport for London or TfL, the government body that manages public transportation in the city. Around 27,000 people work for TfL, the group said.
While drivers have expressed concerns about the risks of coming into close contact with the public, it is impossible to say with any certainty how those who died became infected.	While drivers have expressed concerns about the risks of coming into close contact with the public, it is impossible to say with any certainty how those who died became infected.
“The worker himself has the risk to be infected anywhere,” said Dr. Sylvie Briand, the director of Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness for the World Health Organization, “not just where he works.”	“The worker himself has the risk to be infected anywhere,” said Dr. Sylvie Briand, the director of Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness for the World Health Organization, “not just where he works.”
London, along with the rest of Britain, has been officially locked down since March 23, with all nonessential businesses shuttered, schools closed and public life halted. But like the public transportation of so many other cities, London’s buses and subways are still up and running, shuttling workers to and from the hospitals, grocery stores and other essential workplaces.	London, along with the rest of Britain, has been officially locked down since March 23, with all nonessential businesses shuttered, schools closed and public life halted. But like the public transportation of so many other cities, London’s buses and subways are still up and running, shuttling workers to and from the hospitals, grocery stores and other essential workplaces.
Last week, new protective measures were rolled out citywide requiring passengers to enter and exit buses at the middle or back doors where possible and to sit in those sections, well away from the drivers. Passengers don’t have to pay, for now, to avoid coming close to drivers.	Last week, new protective measures were rolled out citywide requiring passengers to enter and exit buses at the middle or back doors where possible and to sit in those sections, well away from the drivers. Passengers don’t have to pay, for now, to avoid coming close to drivers.
But unions representing bus drivers, as well as the families of the victims, say the measures do not go far enough.	But unions representing bus drivers, as well as the families of the victims, say the measures do not go far enough.
Unite the Union, which represents bus drivers and some other transport workers in London, recently issued a statement demanding that more be done, urging the city to provide personal protective equipment like sanitizing wipes, masks and gloves for all drivers, and urged the city to make face coverings compulsory for people using public transportation.	Unite the Union, which represents bus drivers and some other transport workers in London, recently issued a statement demanding that more be done, urging the city to provide personal protective equipment like sanitizing wipes, masks and gloves for all drivers, and urged the city to make face coverings compulsory for people using public transportation.
The measures were too late for Mervyn Mally Kennedy, 67, from Croydon in South London, who had driven a city bus for 16 years. When he reached retirement age two years ago, he decided to keep working, his daughter Penny Palmer said, as he was healthy and felt up to the job.	The measures were too late for Mervyn Mally Kennedy, 67, from Croydon in South London, who had driven a city bus for 16 years. When he reached retirement age two years ago, he decided to keep working, his daughter Penny Palmer said, as he was healthy and felt up to the job.
Ms. Palmer, a nurse, said her father wasn’t initially concerned about contracting the virus himself, though he did worry for his three daughters who work in the health sector. Little guidance was given to transportation workers, she said, describing it as a “forgotten sector.”	Ms. Palmer, a nurse, said her father wasn’t initially concerned about contracting the virus himself, though he did worry for his three daughters who work in the health sector. Little guidance was given to transportation workers, she said, describing it as a “forgotten sector.”
“A lot of bus drivers, like my dad, never complained about going to work,” she said. “But I do have a feeling he was nervous.”	“A lot of bus drivers, like my dad, never complained about going to work,” she said. “But I do have a feeling he was nervous.”
On March 31, Mr. Kennedy came home from a 10-hour shift feeling unwell. A high fever and dry cough appeared.	On March 31, Mr. Kennedy came home from a 10-hour shift feeling unwell. A high fever and dry cough appeared.
A week later, he was taken to the hospital with shortness of breath. He died with coronavirus on April 7. Ms. Palmer believes that bus drivers still don’t have the necessary tools to do their job safely.	A week later, he was taken to the hospital with shortness of breath. He died with coronavirus on April 7. Ms. Palmer believes that bus drivers still don’t have the necessary tools to do their job safely.
John Murphy, the lead Unite officer for buses in London, said deaths were having a ripple effect on the 22,000 to 24,000 among their “big family” of London bus drivers that he describes as the city’s lifeblood.	John Murphy, the lead Unite officer for buses in London, said deaths were having a ripple effect on the 22,000 to 24,000 among their “big family” of London bus drivers that he describes as the city’s lifeblood.
“Every time someone in London buses dies it is absolutely devastating,” he said. “The effect is massive.”	“Every time someone in London buses dies it is absolutely devastating,” he said. “The effect is massive.”
He acknowledged that getting personal protective equipment, or P.P.E., for drivers may be unrealistic in a country barely able to provide enough of it for health and social care workers, but added that something must be done.	He acknowledged that getting personal protective equipment, or P.P.E., for drivers may be unrealistic in a country barely able to provide enough of it for health and social care workers, but added that something must be done.
“We knew this was coming at the very beginning of this year,” he said. “And even today there is no coordinated plan to produce, secure or supply the P.P.E. that’s so badly required.”	“We knew this was coming at the very beginning of this year,” he said. “And even today there is no coordinated plan to produce, secure or supply the P.P.E. that’s so badly required.”
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has urged the British government to require that people wear nonmedical-grade masks in public in situations where they are unable to keep safely apart, such as in public transportation.	Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has urged the British government to require that people wear nonmedical-grade masks in public in situations where they are unable to keep safely apart, such as in public transportation.
The World Health Organization has provided general guidelines on the use of masks in public, Dr. Briand said, but noted that the authorities have to prioritize.	The World Health Organization has provided general guidelines on the use of masks in public, Dr. Briand said, but noted that the authorities have to prioritize.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.)
	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.
	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.
“For people who are exposed very often and who can’t physically distance, the use of masks makes sense,” she said. “If they are older workers nearing retirement age or have an underlying condition, this person needs more protection.”	“For people who are exposed very often and who can’t physically distance, the use of masks makes sense,” she said. “If they are older workers nearing retirement age or have an underlying condition, this person needs more protection.”
In a statement, Mike Brown, London’s transport commissioner, said the deaths were an “absolute tragedy” and offered condolences to the families of the transport workers who had died. But the commissioner maintained that everything was being done to extend safety measures.	In a statement, Mike Brown, London’s transport commissioner, said the deaths were an “absolute tragedy” and offered condolences to the families of the transport workers who had died. But the commissioner maintained that everything was being done to extend safety measures.
Lorraine said that in the middle of last month, she woke to the news day after day that another of her fellow drivers had died. She considers herself a “proud London driver” who looks forward to seeing the familiar passengers on the route she has driven for decades. But she suddenly found herself scared to go to work.	Lorraine said that in the middle of last month, she woke to the news day after day that another of her fellow drivers had died. She considers herself a “proud London driver” who looks forward to seeing the familiar passengers on the route she has driven for decades. But she suddenly found herself scared to go to work.