Experts worry safe ventilation overlooked as coronavirus capacity limits, mask mandates lift, WMTW NEWS 8'S STEVE BOTTARI REPORTS THERE'S ANOTHER PIECE OF THE SAFETY PUZZLE: VENTILATION. Private Rooms Last spring, Amtrak reduced its Wolverine service from three round trips daily to just one a day between Pontiac and Chicago. In addition, in a city system (as opposed to a long-distance ride), buses make frequent stops. It wasnt. YOU CAN FI, 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. 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. Many buses have HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) systems similar to those on subways and trains, with one additional factor: buses are more likely to have windows that open. Mask wearing reduces risk and is now mandatory on many forms of transit in the U.S., including New York Citys subway and bus systems, as well as Amtrak trains throughout the country. Detours with locals. WASHINGTON (AP) The military services are still reviewing possible discipline of troops who refused the order to get the COVID-19 vaccine, defense officials told Congress on Tuesday, and they . I felt pretty confident that Amtrak was on top of their pandemic protocols, a collection of new and enhanced cleaning and health safety measures that they developed with their full-time medical and health safety team who has experience on the frontlines of COVID-19. light filter, and we are testing that," said Denise Beck, Marketing and Community Outreach Manager for Greater Portland METRO.METRO has partnered with the University of Southern Maine to carry out the tests on those devices. Preliminary results for fiscal year 2021 (Oct. 2020 Sept. 2021) include: Amtrak highlights in fiscal year 2021 include: Amtrak Contact The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted by the Biden Administration and Congress is a historic investment that will benefit customers and communities and prove that Amtrak is an important part of a larger solution to help America tackle the climate crisis, create economic opportunity and expand mobility.. 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. More. ", Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. For more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter. The airport, for example, is usually an extremely busy place with people coming and going from all over, and passengers typically spend a long time cooped up together waiting for their plane. After locking the door behind me and closing the privacy curtain, I immediately took out my tub of Clorox wipes. And thats when I got to work. What Is Normal When It Comes to Menopause? Nights, Holidays & Weekends: (800) 562-1904. However, on the routes where the boarding announcements didnt sound as intense about COVID policies, passengers seemed less inclined to follow the rules. "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.". Windows, as well as open ceiling vents, allow fresh air to enter the vehicle. But if a person with the virus is wearing a mask, the face covering will catch those droplets. Amtrak passengers can now see how full their train will be upon booking amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Amtrak will continue to play an important role in the national transportation network for the next 50 years and beyond by operating a safe, environmentally efficient and fiscally responsible business by providing travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season; Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area; COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources . Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through theAmtrak app. "There is a lot of exchange," said Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster. This will hopefully avoid clusters of people in aisles and at doorways. 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. Doing so might limit the spread of virus-carrying droplets from coughing, sneezing, breathing or speaking but is unlikely to prevent viral transmission via smaller airborne particles. But if you are seated relatively far from others, and everyone is wearing a mask, your risk is probably fairly low. 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. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its. More information: Michael John Patton et al, COVID-19 bacteremic co-infection is a major risk factor for mortality, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation, Critical Care (2023). 202 906.3860. Inside Ground Zero of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Oprah On COVID-19's Deadly Impact on Black America, The Governors Helping Americans Survive COVID. FOR PLACES LIKE BARS, RESTAURANTS AND STORES DR. (ARE- KNOT) ARNOT HAS A PROPOSAL INTO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO MANDATE CARBON DIXOIDE METERS. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. That [risk] could be mitigated and reduced with mask use, but its still possible [to become infected].. Being in a crowded airport or taking a taxi to get there could be a bigger concern, though. Amit Gaggar Photography: Steve Wood. Many of the cities in question required commuters to wear masks. The driver of a tractor-trailer struck by an Amtrak train in Vermont on Monday has been ticketed. Among . 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. Our timing was impeccable and lined up with the sunset. Due to safety reasons, the windows on Amtrak trains open only in case of emergencies, explains Kuhnen. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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 . Corrie Pikul is the Health and Wellness Director of O, The Oprah magazine, where she covers every aspect of health, from mood to the microbiome, the immune system to the cardiovascular system, sex to sleep. I was excited. As I set my things down, the train rolled into motion. We will continue to prioritize offering a modern, safe and reliable customer experience and preparing for what should be a monumental fiscal year 2022.. "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. Amtrak put out a video highlighting its air filtration system, citing numbers that it cycles air through the train cars on average 44 times an hour, replacing with fresh air about every 5 minutes. Learn more atAmtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Even worse, on the popular route from Chicago to Detroit to Pontiac, on-time performance occurred just 33% of the time. The virus is thought to be spread primarily by small droplets, called aerosols, that hang in the air and larger droplets that fall to the ground within six feet or so. Offers may be subject to change without notice. "Two of our new buses have an air purification, a U.V. 3hr 15min late into Wilmington (WIL) due to earlier police activity and rail congestion. Airline seating is much more confined than the seating on Amtrak cars, Silverman said. Bacterial co-infection is a major risk factor for death, intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, according to a multi-center, retrospective cohort study published in the journal Critical Care and led by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers.. Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, has killed more than 6.3 million people worldwide. Despite the risk, many people are likely to travel using various forms of transportation that will inevitably put them in relatively close contact with others. A looming question is whether once most Americans are vaccinated and people begin to return to flying, can Amtrak maintain its momentum and rebuild its ridership to pre-pandemic levels, then keep it growing. 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. "We're investing in some additional CO2 sensors, we're setting those CO2 sensors to the lowest possible level, which is ensuring that out systems are exchanging air, at the fastest possible rate," Superintendent Heather Perry said in our report on schools last August. Why a Daily Dose of Awe Might Be the New Prozac, What 35-Year-Olds Should Know About Perimenopause. Amtrak asked for $3.88 billion for "base needs" and to address the impact of COVID-19 and $1.55 billion in additional U.S. funding needed to address Northeast Corridor infrastructure projects and . Nearly 500 Police and Sheriffs departments across 43 states and the District of Columbia joined the Amtrak Police Department and Operation Lifesaver Inc. to conduct Operation Clear Track, the single largest railroad safety law enforcement detail in the U.S. Amtrak also trained 3,052 employees in Safety Starts with Me, an internal safety program. Business is now at about 70% of pre-COVID levels, up from 25% at this time in FY20, and based on the current forecast, ridership and revenue is expected to improve to about 80% of pre-COVID levels by the end of fiscal year 2022. Most major cities subways and trains constantly recirculate a mixture of fresh air and older air, both of which are pulled through a filter rated on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) scale. It sits in the air and moves over time and space," said Dr. Bob Arnot, a longtime medical journalist and infectious disease expert who treated Ebola patients in Africa in the early 2000s. At New York Penn Station, Amtrak installed new wayfinding signage and an Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation System in one of the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning units in the Amtrak. Media members should contact the Media Relations Office for their region (see the map and listings here). "Maine is known as an outdoors place, as a fresh air place, as a natural place. So, whats holding back higher speeds across Michigan? These 3 tools can help you navigate quarantine and testing policies by state, That could mean if you are in a crowded train station, if the train itself has it has a density of people around you whether thats passengers or crew members that could still pose a risk, Suh says. Khabbaza recommends train travelers book a private roomette or bedroom if they can afford to and if they are available. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Texas Eagle Train 21 which departed Chicago (CHI) on 2/27, is currently being delayed in Taylor (TAY) due to law enforcement activity ahead. Greater Portland METRO has installed high-tech purification systems onboard their new buses. In 2019, we were selling every seat now were filling only half of each trains capacity, and were strongly encouraging people to sit apart, said Marc Magliari, spokesman for Amtrak. 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. 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. It is nearly impossible for drivers and passengers to remain six feet apart in a car, so transmission is definitely possible. For the most part, it seemed the protocols were being adhered to, but when staff seemed more lax about sanitizing and enforcing mask policy, passengers used that opportunity to be less safe themselves.. Before the pandemic, many people would not think twice about ordering a ride-share car or hailing a taxi. We talked to Amtraks corporate medical director, Ann Kuhnen, MD, as well as two epidemiologists about why these precautions matter, and what else you should know before booking a trip. When I finally made it to the dining room the next day, after official breakfast hours were over, Sandy and Linda greeted me. It turned out to be a rough night, full of rattles and rumbles. Since then, that number has climbed north of 30% as the calendar moved closer to summer.With tourism expected to rebound, officials hope to get back to about 60% of pre-pandemic ridership by mid-summer. Even though the train runs parallel to certain sections of the freeway, these are vantage points that you can only witness from the train. Employees are also required to wear masks at all times, unless in their private rooms. 8 less-expensive spring break destinations. During the 2019 fiscal year, Amtrak carried a record 32.5 million passengers; however, an Amtrak internal analysis in April showed a 95 percent drop in ridership because of the coronavirus. A September report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) examined the coronaviruss spread in cities around the globe that had robust public transit systems. And while safety and sanitization were largely prioritized no matter which train I rode, the experience wasnt uniform. "Places like Washington State have already mandated live CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to try to mitigate the virus risk.The data emerging from a handful of new research papers show that COVID-19 can build up in poorly ventilated spaces.In fact, a recent MIT study found the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus could be as great whether a person is 6 feet or 60 feet away if the air is mixed.That study went on to point out the potential threat existed even with a mask.WHAT TO DO AT HOME"The reason we still have hundreds to thousands of cases every single day it's as if people were walking into burning buildings and we didn't have smoke detectors," Dr. Arnot said.For homes and many businesses, the solution may be as simple as keeping all the windows open as much as possible.More airtight locations would have to work with their HVAC systems to increase the fresh air intake to levels that would adequately lower the parts per million (PPM).MAKING CLASSROOMS SAFERSchools have been some of the first places to take a hard look at their ventilation. I noticed that on the Empire Builder, my attendant was frequently sanitizing the car, my roomette smelled of disinfectant when I boarded, and the conductor sounded very serious about policing passengers about wearing masks., She went on to say that she never saw a room attendant without a mask on, unless they were in their own room with the door closed and even then, they rushed to put on a mask before opening the door for her. The affected routes include some trains in the Northeast Corridor and a New Orleans route. He has also been recommending face shields to patients. And in Michigan, the on-time rate was just 43%. METRO has partnered with the University of Southern Maine to carry out the tests on those devices. Ridership had dipped as low as 10% of normal volume compared to 2019 at the worst of the pandemic this winter, according to the Downeaster. Unfortunately, roaming around the train is a bad idea right nowand for the foreseeable future. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its pre-pandemic level while Amtrak operated fewer trains and strictly enforced social distancing in coaches that could carry twice as many passengers. If you can splurge on a private room, do it! Knowledge awaits. WITH MASKS ABOUT TO BE TOSSED ASIDE FOR GOOD -- THAT BRINGS ALL THE MORE ATTENTION ON SOMETHING SOME EXPERTS SAY HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED IN THIS PANDEMIC -- THE QUALITY OF AIR WE BREATHE. The APTA report notes that on most systems subway cars and buses, new air replaces stale air almost 18 times an hour. 09:20 CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT'S THE BEST OVERALL INDICATOR OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE FRESH AIR IN THAT ROOM OR NOT 09:26 // BUTTED // 09:32 IN WASHINGTON STATE NOW IF YOU GOT TO A RESTAURANT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CO2 READING. We may earn commission from the links on this page. That study went on to point out the potential threat existed even with a mask. 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