When thinking about the risk of transmission, I like to use a rhyme that was coined by Bill Miller, an epidemiologist at The Ohio State University: people, place, time, and space, says Eleanor J. Murray, ScD, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health. There seemed to be less risk of transmission, however, for people who were seated near windows and doors that could open. Some drivers have even installed a plastic shield between the front and back seats. Bidens order came after months of sporadic voluntary enforcement of mask-wearing by airlines and after a petition from Consumer Reports magazine, signed by more than 60,000 people, demanding a government rule for masking up during flight. AND WHERE COULD YOU POSSIBLY HAVE BETTER AIR THAN THE STATE OF MAINE -- YOU OUGHT TO BE SELLING IT (LAUGHS) 18:13 (BOTTARI LL TAG) WHILE I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH MAINE AIR WOULD SELL FOR, I DO KNOW, THOSE CO2 METERS COST ABOUT 100 DOLLARS FOR A HANDHELD ONE. (If you want to take your PPE to the next level, consider adding a plastic face shield to your packing list. Heres how to stay safe. "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort.". The 14 Most Scenic Train Rides in the U.S. 31 Romantic Weekend Getaways to Book on a Budget, From Oprah Daily for Orangetheory Fitness, safest way to travel is via your own two feet, Bill Miller, an epidemiologist at The Ohio State University, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. To maximize space between passengers and manage flow, Amtrak is encouraging customers to arrive 30 minutes before departure (60 minutes if they need ticketing or baggage assistance). The only reason I needed to leave my roomette was to use the restroom, a regularly cleaned compartment about the size of an airplane bathroom at the end of the hall. And, the company's 18,000 employees are required to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing, effective Nov. 1. You are safest in your seat. On top of that, you may have heard that Amtrak recently announced enhanced safety and cleaning measures intended to protect passengers during their rail journeys. In theory, at least, traveling by train seems like a good compromise between taking a long car trip (with or without a portable potty) or getting on a disconcertingly crowded airplane. What Is Normal When It Comes to Menopause? This time, I was in one of the private bedrooms located on the second floor of the trains two-bedroom sleeper cars. This past spring the novel coronavirus tore through New York City, reaching a peak of thousands of new cases per day in April. Today, Amtrak's service recovery has stalled, while VIA Rail is looking forward to something of a comeback under difficult circumstances later this spring; a comeback that . (The results were published this month in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.) "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort. 7 In March 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration issued Emergency Use Authorizations to several manufacturers for helmet use in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure from COVID-19. Also, Magliari said: We have significantly more spacing (than airlines and buses) between our seats. And while safety and sanitization were largely prioritized no matter which train I rode, the experience wasnt uniform. Windows, as well as open ceiling vents, allow fresh air to enter the vehicle. The same goes while aboard their trains. "Two of our new buses have an air purification, a U.V. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Everything Id read so far about riding Amtrak in the time of COVID-19 seemed to rank long-distance train travel as safe, smart, and dare I say even relaxing. If a window is able to be opened, that always helps getting droplets to disperse very quickly, making it very unlikely that they will make it to another person in enough of a concentration to transmit infection, especially if masking is enforced, he said. For the buses, ridership is down about 60% from pre-pandemic levels. Although no mode of public transportation is completely safe, there are some concrete ways to reduce risk, whether on an airplane, train or busor even in a shared car. Additionally, Amtrak now shows the capacity of its trains online as people shop for tickets, which may help customers choose emptier options. Amtrak will reduce its service between Friday and Jan. 6 as it grapples with a rising number of COVID-19 cases among workers and poor weather conditions, according to The Washington Post. Upon reaching out to Amtrak, a spokesperson for the company said, "The health and safety of our riders and crew continues to be our number one priority. However, she adds, I dont think many people realize that the trains have very sophisticated ventilation. An onboard filtration system continuously refreshes the space every four to five minutes, removing air from the cars interior and replacing it with new, conditioned, external air. If you can splurge on a private room, do it! Hi, there, she said before getting surprisingly excited. You can isolate from really everyone, so that, of course, becomes essentially just as safe as driving in your car, Khabbaza said, although you may still have to encounter people if you go to the dining car or a communal restroom or when you exit the train. National Railroad Passenger Corporation. "Losing ridership and revenue has been a real challenge," said Donna DeMartino, the LOSSAN Agency . Flynn asked for a predictable and long-term source of federal funding to continue modernizing the system. Walking through the rows of roomettes, it appeared that people were taking advantage of a loophole in the mask rule they were maskless while in their rooms as required, but their doors were wide open. Over the past few months, Ive taken four trains over three Amtrak routes, Wunderman told me. With mask mandates and capacity limits lifting in Maine on May 24, some experts are warning we need to take a closer look at something they feel has been overlooked in this pandemic: the quality of the air we are sharing inside. So how does this translate into overall risk? And keeping conversation to a minimum could also reduce the danger because talking is known to release aerosols that can spread the virus. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. The new coaches, built in the U.S. by the German multinational company Siemens, will be pulled by almost-new Siemens Charger locomotives, which Amtrak began introducing in the Midwest in 2018 and 2019, according to Amtrak officials. Running on normal schedules are Amtraks other Michigan trains the Blue Water service that links Chicago to Battle Creek, Lansing, Flint and Port Huron; and the Pere Marquette between Chicago and Grand Rapids. Jan. 14, 2022. All the others have people right next to you, she said. In fact, we have a full-time medical director and public health and safety team who have been on the frontlines throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Its the ultimate transient experience: Almost as soon as you see something out the window, its gone, and then everything eventually fades to black. DETROIT As segments of society reopen and the world rushes to get vaccinated, more Americans may lose their fear of flying and once again crowd airports and airplanes. That made me not want to gather in any kind of a public space while on the train whatsoever, she said. Follow her on Twitter @tanyalewis314Credit: Nick Higgins, Amanda Montaez is an associate graphics editor at Scientific American. Last year, the rail systems executives along with their boosters in the nonprofit Rail Passengers Association had hoped to cap their record-breaking 2019 ridership with a crucial win in the U.S. Congress, at last giving Amtrak the legal clout for its trains to take precedence over the freight trains that it says so often cause delays. Those with medical conditions who cannot wear masks must wear a face shield as a substitute. It has installed signs to encourage social distancing in high-traffic areas, such as the stations and cafe cars, where it has also put up plastic barriers at the customer counters. Many airlines now require passengers to wear a mask during flights except for mealtimes, and some are blocking off middle seats to allow more distancing between people. 8 less-expensive spring break destinations. DOI: 10.1186 . 3hr 15min late into Wilmington (WIL) due to earlier police activity and rail congestion. But now the idea of being in such an enclosed space with a stranger can seem like a life-and-death proposition. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its. We now understand that smaller airborne particles can spread this virus, so employees are wearing face coverings, and were asking passengers to do so, too.. Read more about the coronavirus outbreak from Scientific American here. That, this summer -- and even heading into colder months -- may be the key, according to Dr. Arnot: "Fundamentally you've got to have clean outdoor air, indoors and where could you possibly have better air than the state of Maine.". However, on the routes where the boarding announcements didnt sound as intense about COVID policies, passengers seemed less inclined to follow the rules. Fresh air is helpful to keep droplets from lingering, but it still won't protect you from a direct hit of a cough or sneeze. Rossi is a medical doctor in Pekin, Illinois, and CEO of Reditus Laboratories, a company that conducts COVID-19 testing. PEOPLE MOVE AROUND. "There is a lot of exchange," said Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. She said she was impressed with Amtraks COVID-19 precautions. Solo travel can be risky. On the train, it's critical to wear a mask. A post shared by Ali Wunderman (@aliwunderman). Phone calls are preferred if the request is urgent. Dont let them spoil a trip. Many of the cities in question required commuters to wear masks. But even with fresh air available, an infected passenger can still transmit the coronavirus to someone who is sitting in close proximityso riders should attempt to space themselves out and avoid densely packed cars whenever possible. Fresh air is helpful to keep droplets from lingering, but it still wont protect you from a direct hit of a cough or sneeze. Linda and her boisterous charm bid me adieu, promising to return to show me around my new digs after she was able to meet, greet, and guide her other sleeping car passengers to their rooms. Amtrak said on Friday that it will temporarily reduce service on some trains because of staffing challenges stemming from a surge in cases of the Omicron variant among workers . Sometimes, doing all this extra work makes me feel paranoid, and I almost didnt do it this time. Silverman is a travel agent, operating a Cruise Planners franchise from her home. I noticed signage stating that passengers and staff must wear masks at all times unless in the privacy of their own rooms had replaced Amtrak promotional posters on the walls. Id spent the day watching the outside world flicker by like a silent film, a few minutes at a time. U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak told a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Thursday it expects to be forced to temporarily cut some service in January because of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. When I finally made it to the dining room the next day, after official breakfast hours were over, Sandy and Linda greeted me. We reached my room and I was immediately impressed. But more money, to buy faster locomotives and sleek new cars on upgraded track, cant do much for train travelers if a poky freight train blocks their way. COVID-19 has fast-tracked many innovations already in the works. Amtrak rider Erin Silverman of Bloomfield Hills got off the train on the night of Feb. 5 in Troy, after riding the rails all the way to and from Denver. SHARON, Vt. (AP) The driver of a tractor-trailer that was hit by an Amtrak train on Monday has been . They announced several times, you must wear the mask over your nose and mouth or we can kick you off, she said. In a letter dated Jan. 22, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn, who took the top job last spring, sent a letter to each member of Congress, citing Amtraks 50th anniversary this year. One of the things thats most concerning to health experts about trainsand planesisnt what happens on the vehicle (although thats extremely important), but how we get on and off them. It turned out to be a rough night, full of rattles and rumbles. In the station, Lofgren says you should practice the same kind of social distancing that youd do at, say, the grocery store: Minimize your contact with other people, so if someone is boarding, hang out until theres space for you to safely get on behind them. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. Schools have been some of the first places to take a hard look at their ventilation. At a casual glance, air travel might seem like the perfect recipe for COVID transmission: it packs dozens of people into a confined space, often for hours at a time. Amtrak. As the coronavirus pandemic .css-9cezh6{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#E61957;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-9cezh6:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}rages on around the world, experts reiterate that the safest way to travel is via your own two feetpreferably using them to go on a nice, solitary walk around the block or through the woods. He has also been recommending face shields to patients. "Almost no cases came from somebody touching something -- all the time and effort spent washing when it should have been ventilation, number one, and masks, number two.". However, too often, freight operators ignore the rule, according to Amtrak. Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the Teamsters Jun 22, 2020, 09:00 ET. And in Michigan, the on-time rate was just 43%. We may earn commission from the links on this page. At the very least, it does no harm to wear a mask. Wearing a mask also probably helps, and ride-share companies Uber and Lyft both require drivers and passengers to do so. In my pre-pandemic life, I traveled for work two to three times a month a far cry from the one-mile radius I had confined myself to in Brooklyn between March and August. Amtrak, which serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces, also offers a unique class of service that might especially appeal to travelers in the COVID-19 era: private rooms. After taking Amtrak's Coast Starlight train from Portland to Los Angeles during the pandemic, one traveler shares her experience of the 30-hour journey. Siemens says these SC-44 Charger locomotives have a top speed of 125 mph, although they cant roll nearly that fast just yet between the Motor City and the Windy City. 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