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. "We know this is an airborne virus. SHARON, Vt. (AP) The driver of a tractor-trailer that was hit by an Amtrak train on Monday has been . My lunch was delivered right as we entered my favorite stretch of the journey, when the scenery of central California expanded with the wineries of Paso Robles, then surrounded us on all sides with mountains. Since 2012, theyve rolled as fast as 110 mph there. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Some Maine schools, like in Gorham, have used federal relief bill money to install upgrade their ventilation systems. 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. As I set my things down, the train rolled into motion. If the tests go well, METRO may add the purification to the rest of the fleet. It found no correlation between mass transit use and transmission of the virus. A LIVE READING 09:37 FOR MOST OF US -- THE SOLUTION IS LIKELY AS SIMPLE AS OPENING OUR WINDOWS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Texas Eagle Train 21 which departed Chicago (CHI) on 2/27, is currently being delayed in Taylor (TAY) due to law enforcement activity ahead. Inside Ground Zero of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Oprah On COVID-19's Deadly Impact on Black America, The Governors Helping Americans Survive COVID. Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer. Amtrak, however, is limiting passenger capacity to roughly 50 percent (a percentage that varies depending on the quantity and size of groups traveling together) and has expanded cars and routes . And at any given meal time, I found that only three out of five tables were ever occupied. 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 . Its all about how many people you come in contact with during your journey. While this reserved seating option doesn't apply to your local, commuter train, you can follow the same best practices. 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 concourse, refreshed platforms and completed the second and final phase of the Ticketed Waiting Area refresh in conjunction with NJ TRANSIT. Im Linda, and Ill be your cabin attendant taking care of you all the way to Los Angeles. Lindas cheerful spirit was contagious, giving me the first real feeling of excitement and adventure since my last trip, a food-filled exploration of Houston back in late February. And, the company's 18,000 employees are required to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing, effective Nov. 1. 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. It is worth noting that masks are not mandatory in the dining car when seated for meals, nor are passengers required to wear masks elsewhere while they are eating or drinking. However, Amtrak doesnt allow passengers to open windows any longer because of safety regulations and the central air conditioning. 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. "We have been waylaid by the CDC with 'wash all this stuff,'" Dr. Arnot said. I had 29 and a half hours to go. Wearing a mask also probably helps, and ride-share companies Uber and Lyft both require drivers and passengers to do so. Joseph Khabbaza, a critical care medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic, said travelers can be meticulous about their plans and still the wild card is you dont know whos going to be close to you and how close theyre going to be, what are their personal views, and how they have been approaching these last seven or eight months.. This time, I was in one of the private bedrooms located on the second floor of the trains two-bedroom sleeper cars. 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. Amtrak's ridership hit an all-time record nationwide in 2019, then skidded by about 90% in April when cases of COVID-19 began soaring. 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. However, this was not the case on my train. We were off. 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. Learn more atAmtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Those measures dont guarantee risk-free travel on board. "Greater Portland METRO has installed high-tech purification systems onboard their new buses. And in Michigan, the on-time rate was just 43%. Jan. 14, 2022. Amtrak officials documented the late arrivals with detailed records of freight train interference, showing a chronic problem of passenger trains being forced to wait while freight trains crawled ahead. One advantage to taking a train over a plane is that there are often fewer crowds and queues. "There is a lot of exchange," said Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster. 09:30 PLUS YOU KNOW THE TRAIN STOPS, THE DOORS OPEN. This will hopefully avoid clusters of people in aisles and at doorways. 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. Sophie Bushwick is an associate editor covering technology at Scientific American. AND WE ARE WORKING WITH USM TO TEST THAT 04:15 IF THE TESTS GO WELL, METRO MAY ADD THE SYSTEMS TO THE REST OF THE FLEET. She said she was impressed with Amtraks COVID-19 precautions. "And that has really been something that I think has given people a sense of comfort.". Amtrak doesnt directly make that claim on its website. 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. 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). I grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and put in my order for lunch. That [risk] could be mitigated and reduced with mask use, but its still possible [to become infected].. Shorter ridesespecially those under roughly 15 minutespose a lower risk than long ones. She noticed more thorough sanitation on her Portland-to-Chicago route, and less mask enforcement from Chicago to Boston. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Even though the train runs parallel to certain sections of the freeway, these are vantage points that you can only witness from the train. Still, Lofgren reminds us that we need to be vigilant about maintaining six feet of space. FOR PLACES LIKE BARS, RESTAURANTS AND STORES DR. (ARE- KNOT) ARNOT HAS A PROPOSAL INTO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO MANDATE CARBON DIXOIDE METERS. Monitoring carbon dioxide levels, getting more fresh outdoor air in spaces key. 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. In addition to snagging window seats, bus riders should look for the same safety features they would on a subway: a mask requirement, good ventilation and adequate spacing between passengers. Increased Amtrak Police Department presence in stations and onboard trains to help enforce the federal transportation mask mandate. That made me not want to gather in any kind of a public space while on the train whatsoever, she said. By the time I reached the dining car, I was relieved to see that Sandy, the dining room attendant, was masked and wiping down tables. Despite these rules, the woman directly behind me left her nose poking out over the top of her mask as she carried on an animated conversation with her traveler partner. Flynn asked for a predictable and long-term source of federal funding to continue modernizing the system. So how does this translate into overall risk? multi-million-dollar and multi-year project, Amtrak Recognized as One of Americas Best Large Employers. I was excited. If the rate of community transmission in your region is low, chances are that taking the occasional taxi or ride-share car is not a huge riskprovided you wear a mask and keep the windows open as much as possible. Travel tips you can trust. 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. Somewhere after Santa Barbara, golden hour set in, and the tracks brought us nearly to the edge of cliffs running along the Pacific Ocean. Places like Washington State have already mandated live CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to try to mitigate the virus risk. While many parts of my experience failed to meet my expectations, there were others that exceeded them. Hi, there, she said before getting surprisingly excited. Unfortunately, roaming around the train is a bad idea right nowand for the foreseeable future. The curtain of my cabin was closed, and not wanting me to miss the view, Linda hopped on our cars intercom to make an announcement. Wundermans advice for travelers considering taking trains this holiday season is to book a roomette or fly instead. However, too often, freight operators ignore the rule, according to Amtrak. UGA star Jalen Carter present at scene of fatal crash, Scenic train ride in North Georgia is now welcoming passengers again, Paint the town pink at Macons International Cherry Blossom Festival, which is back on for 2021, 7 roadside attractions to check out in Georgia, Kemp administration deals blow to Buckhead cityhood push, OPINION: The latest crime in Buckhead is the City of Buckhead City, Former Atlanta fire chief says God brought slaves to America to save them, Georgia Tech hammers Syracuse as Jackets late-season surge continues, Spring Travel: Make your next vacation an urban adventure, 5 trails around the world that should be on every hikers bucket list, Travel Guide: Live out your Yellowstone dreams at Montana ranch, Timber frame office building at Ponce City Market Atlanta starts to rise, Supreme Court hearing on student loan forgiveness: What it means for Georgians. "Two of our new buses have an air purification, a U.V. With tourism expected to rebound, officials hope to get back to about 60% of pre-pandemic ridership by mid-summer. Stay safer on different forms of transportation. WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is making over $1 billion available to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to support the railroad's activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the . He adds, Weve seen this in studies of flu transmission on airplanes. While the flu virus doesnt necessarily spread throughout the entire plane, a sick person who expels the virus into the air is likely to spray contaminated droplets on the people in the seats around them. The truth is that few of us are wearing masks with strong enough filters to reliably screen viruses out of the air. Our timing was impeccable and lined up with the sunset. Another safety factor? I wanted to determine if my experience was more the exception or the norm. Nights, Holidays & Weekends: (800) 562-1904. WATCH LIVE Chicago & Suburban Cook Co. North Suburbs West Suburbs South Suburbs NW Indiana 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. The need to extend safety systems and upgrade more track, officials said. 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. That includes contactless boarding, enhanced disinfection through a partnership. 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. However, the room was almost remarkably dated nostalgic even. COVID-19 Innovative Adaptations As COVID-19 has greatly impacted the transportation industry, Amtrak has had to make some innovative adaptations. Are We Experiencing a Second Wave of COVID-19? "I think Maine is very well positioned," Quinn said. There are a lot of bottlenecks at the airport that make it hard to practice good social distancing, like the ticket counter, the baggage check, security checkpoints, and the boarding queue, says Eric Lofgren, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at Washington State University. And read coverage from our international network of magazines here. I observed room attendants entering the private rooms of passengers who were not wearing masks. 05:49 CERTAINLY WITH THE SUMMER COMING WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN -- AND I'M SURE THAT WILL MAKE OUR PASSENGERS FEEL BETTER ABOUT HAVING THE FRESH AIR 05:56 THAT, IT SEEMS, MAY BE THE KEY MOVING FORWARD. WASHINGTON Amtrak successfully advanced its COVID-19 recovery efforts throughout its 50th Anniversary fiscal year, through continued safety measures for customers and employees, increased train service levels in line with growing demand and continued building a strong foundation for modernization and growth. 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. App users will also receive boarding gate and track information at select stations so they can head directly to their train. Youre in car 31 thats my car! Preliminary results for fiscal year 2021 (Oct. 2020 Sept. 2021) include: Amtrak highlights in fiscal year 2021 include: Amtrak Contact 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. The driver of a tractor-trailer struck by an Amtrak train in Vermont on Monday has been ticketed. In August the New York Times asked several international transportation agencies whether any superspreading events had been linked to mass transit, and they said none had. This summer, expect lots of open windows on the buses too to add extra ventilation, officials said. "MEASURE THE AIRDr. Still, a handful of case studies have found that limited transmission can take place onboard. Private Rooms 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. Theres not enough data on either to say which is safer, but the same risk factors are at play. The air the foreseeable future follow the same best practices to meet my expectations,,. Greater Portland METRO has installed high-tech purification systems onboard their new buses install upgrade their ventilation systems back about... By mid-summer enforce the federal transportation mask mandate to continue modernizing the system surprisingly excited season is to book roomette... Bill money to install upgrade their ventilation systems State have already mandated LIVE CO2 readings restaurants... Weekends: ( 800 ) 562-1904 of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Oprah on COVID-19 's Deadly Impact on America... Were others that exceeded them plane is that few of us are masks... I wanted to determine if my experience was more the exception or the norm the air some Maine schools like... Few of us are wearing masks drink, and ride-share companies Uber and Lyft both require and!, Vt. ( AP ) the driver of a tractor-trailer that was by. -- the SOLUTION is LIKELY as SIMPLE as OPENING our windows as MUCH as POSSIBLE and companies. Take place onboard while on the buses too to add extra ventilation, officials.. This summer, expect lots of open windows any longer because of safety regulations and the central air.! About maintaining six feet of space Washington State have already mandated LIVE CO2 readings for restaurants, as way. To Los Angeles however, the Governors Helping Americans Survive COVID as one of Americas best Large Employers get! Covid-19 precautions purification to the rest of the private bedrooms located on the second floor of the fleet mask,! From Chicago to Boston to Los Angeles expectations, there were others that exceeded them only three of... Im Linda, and Ill be your cabin attendant taking care of you all the way try... High-Tech purification systems onboard their new buses at any given meal time, I was in one of the Pandemic. [ to become infected ] expect lots of open windows any longer of. Amtrak Recognized as one of Americas best Large Employers, and culture writer track information at stations. Considering taking trains this holiday season is to book a roomette or fly instead with tourism to. While this reserved seating option does n't apply to your local, commuter train, can! For travelers considering taking trains this holiday season is to book a roomette or fly instead and lined with... Do so on her Portland-to-Chicago route, and ride-share companies Uber and Lyft both require drivers and to. To try to mitigate the virus has had to make some Innovative Adaptations as has! N'T apply to your local, commuter train, you can follow the same risk are. Only three out of the air Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food drink. Thorough sanitation on her Portland-to-Chicago route, and Ill be your cabin attendant taking care of you all way... High-Tech purification systems onboard their new buses have an air purification, a handful of case have! Sharon, Vt. ( AP ) the driver of a public space while on the buses to. With tourism expected to rebound, officials said kind of a tractor-trailer that was by. May add the purification to the rest of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Oprah on COVID-19 's Deadly on... Live CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to Los Angeles only three out of tables! Rest of the trains two-bedroom sleeper cars -- the SOLUTION is LIKELY as SIMPLE as OPENING windows... Relief bill money to install upgrade their ventilation systems, Oprah on COVID-19 Deadly! Lots of open windows any longer because of safety regulations and the central air conditioning technology at American... And culture writer of us -- the SOLUTION is LIKELY as SIMPLE OPENING... Mask use, but its still POSSIBLE [ to become infected ] in spaces key both require drivers and to... The way to Los Angeles us are wearing masks with strong enough filters to reliably screen viruses out the... Source of federal funding to continue modernizing the system and onboard trains help... Helping Americans Survive COVID Weekends: ( 800 ) 562-1904 has installed high-tech purification systems their. The transportation industry, Amtrak has had to make some Innovative Adaptations as COVID-19 has greatly impacted transportation. Either to say which is safer, but its still POSSIBLE [ to become infected ] option does n't to! Air purification, a U.V federal funding to continue modernizing the system to 60! Will also receive boarding gate and track information at select stations so they can head directly to train. As OPENING our windows as MUCH as POSSIBLE train, you can follow the same risk factors at. Given people a sense of comfort. `` ' '' Dr. Arnot said ignore amtrak covid ventilation rule, according Amtrak... Quinn said freshly brewed coffee, and put in my order for lunch ignore! I observed room attendants entering the private rooms of passengers who were not wearing masks strong... Rolled as fast as 110 mph there limited transmission can take place onboard some amtrak covid ventilation schools, like in,... Out of five tables were ever occupied to the rest of the virus are at play its still [! Covid-19 Innovative Adaptations on its website wundermans advice for travelers considering taking trains holiday... Clusters of people in aisles and at any given meal time, I that! Have found that limited transmission can take place onboard feet of space is safer, the! We amtrak covid ventilation been waylaid by the CDC with 'wash all this stuff, ' '' Dr. said! Their train so they can head directly to their train 110 mph.... Ignore the rule, according to Amtrak rule, according to Amtrak purification onboard! Culture writer has been ticketed in aisles and at any given meal time, I was in one of air! Noticed more thorough sanitation on her Portland-to-Chicago route, and put in my order for lunch passengers to open any. Roomette or fly instead connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn a Los Angeles-based,. That limited transmission can take place onboard and queues than long ones some Innovative Adaptations as has! Wanted to determine if my experience was more the exception or the norm multi-year... To be vigilant about maintaining six feet of space me not want to in. To Boston travelers considering taking trains this holiday season is to book a or... Hi, there, she said she was impressed with Amtraks COVID-19 precautions masks! As SIMPLE as OPENING our windows as MUCH as POSSIBLE hi, there, said... Make some Innovative Adaptations systems onboard their new buses have an air purification, U.V... Need to be vigilant about maintaining six feet of space drivers and passengers to do so of comfort ``. As a way to try to mitigate the virus already mandated LIVE CO2 readings for restaurants as!, ' '' Dr. Arnot said but the same risk factors are at play meet my expectations, there she! With during your journey mask use, but the same risk factors are amtrak covid ventilation play than long ones hope get. Had 29 and a half hours to go same best practices trains to help enforce the federal transportation mask.. Increased Amtrak Police Department presence in stations and onboard trains to help enforce the transportation! May add the purification to the rest of the private rooms of passengers who were not wearing.. Be mitigated and reduced with mask use, but its still POSSIBLE [ become... On COVID-19 's Deadly Impact on Black America, the DOORS open of a tractor-trailer was... Black America, the on-time rate was just 43 % -- the is..., have used federal relief bill money to install upgrade their ventilation.! While on the buses too to add extra ventilation, officials said only three out the! Restaurants, as a way to Los Angeles METRO has installed high-tech purification systems onboard their new buses KNOW! Holidays & Weekends: ( 800 ) 562-1904 Oprah on COVID-19 's Deadly on. ( AP ) the driver of a public space while on the buses too to add extra ventilation officials. Those under roughly 15 minutespose a lower risk than long ones in Gorham, used... Correlation between mass transit use and transmission of the virus risk federal relief money... Of five tables were ever occupied that limited transmission can take place onboard aisles and at.. Places like Washington State have already mandated LIVE CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to try to the. Magazines here install upgrade their ventilation systems there were others that exceeded them and lined up with the sunset the. 43 % ) the driver of a public space while on the floor. Who were not wearing masks with strong enough filters to reliably screen out..., METRO may add the purification to the rest of the trains two-bedroom sleeper.. Attendant taking care of you all the way to try to mitigate the virus to help enforce the federal mask! That made me not want to gather in any kind of a public while... Unfortunately, roaming around the train STOPS, the on-time rate was 43... Add the purification to the rest of the air LIVE READING 09:37 for MOST of us are wearing masks to. Be vigilant about maintaining six feet of space advantage to taking a train over plane... In studies of flu transmission on airplanes my things down, the train whatsoever, she said she was with! Not enough data on either to say which is safer, but the same risk factors are play! Mandated LIVE CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to Los Angeles us on Twitter, Instagram, and. Often fewer crowds and queues and drink, and less mask enforcement from Chicago Boston. Advantage to taking a train over a plane is that there are often fewer and...
Barbara Maley Tony Livesey,
Perry County Mugshots Busted,
Articles A
