If you can splurge on a private room, do it! AMTRAK Covid-19 Practices Puts Passengers and Workers at Risk News provided by. In addition, the railroad has restored daily service for its East Coast long . As I approached the platform outside the sleeping car, I flashed my paperwork to a welcoming employee who managed to flash back a big smile, even with her face hidden behind a mask. 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. 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. Though it was a shared space . Curious what the rest of the train looked like, I put my mask back on and ventured out into the wild, opening the doors between cars by using the trains hands-free, foot-level release button. The great newsfrom an epidemiological, safety, and comfort standpointis that Amtrak is limiting bookings on reserved trains, which will allow for more physical distancing in seating areas. Trains also are safer than planes, in part, because many train stations have open-air platforms where travelers board, Dr. Aaron Rossi told USA Today in October. 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. But later reviews of the evidence suggest mass transit systems have not been major drivers of viral spread. In addition, in a city system (as opposed to a long-distance ride), buses make frequent stops. Theres no filtration system in the world that will move air fast enough to get COVID-19 away from you before you can be exposed to it, says Lofgren. "I think Maine is very well positioned," Quinn said. The APTA report notes that on most systems subway cars and buses, new air replaces stale air almost 18 times an hour. 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. "There is a lot of exchange," said Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which operates the Downeaster. In Vermont, Dr. Arnot advised some of the local school districts on how to improve their air quality. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Transportation Security Administration reported a massive bump in travelers passing through airports, and AAA predicted nearly 50 million people would be traveling by car. Reliable data on the frequency of COVID transmission in cars is lacking, however. The data emerging from a handful of new research papers show that COVID-19 can build up in poorly ventilated spaces. East of Kalamazoo, where the track needs improving, Amtraks maximum speed is 79 mph. 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. If the tests go well, METRO may add the purification to the rest of the fleet. Why a Daily Dose of Awe Might Be the New Prozac, What 35-Year-Olds Should Know About Perimenopause. Windows, as well as open ceiling vents, allow fresh air to enter the vehicle. Delta is the only airline that is still blocking the middle seat. Space: Do you have any personal space, do you have enough distance between you and others? 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. Many transit companies have established frequent cleaning routines, but evidence suggests that airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus poses a greater danger than surfaces. 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. Customers are assigned specific seats once they board, says Predmore, and they wont be seated next to or facing other passengersunless theyre traveling together with friends or family members. 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. 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. I observed room attendants entering the private rooms of passengers who were not wearing masks. 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. Masks covering your nose and mouth are required by Amtrak in all stations, as is keeping proper social distance from others. Passengers traveling by Amtrak also must submit a health questionnaire, answering questions such as whether they have experienced COVID-19 symptoms within 24 hours of departure. The driver of a tractor-trailer struck by an Amtrak train in Vermont on Monday has been ticketed. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WMTW-TV. But those still wary of catching COVID-19 may wonder: Is taking a train safer? 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. It was WWII. 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 . But I reminded myself that I was booked in one of Amtraks private bedrooms, a space where Id have my own sitting area, en suite bathroom with a toilet and shower, a sink, and, when I was ready to call it a night, a bed. Schools have been some of the first places to take a hard look at their ventilation. I grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and put in my order for lunch. All of those situations increase your risk of coming into contact with the virus and picking it up. Keeping the windows open and making sure the air system is set to take in outside air instead of recycling it should reduce the risk. National Railroad Passenger Corporation. 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. Ive made a habit of giving every hotel room or Airbnb Ive stayed in during the pandemic a solid wipe down for my own sanity and security. A representative is available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide information regarding railroad operating matters. Are We Experiencing a Second Wave of COVID-19? Those measures dont guarantee risk-free travel on board. She said she was impressed with Amtraks COVID-19 precautions. In fact, the whole room looked like what I would have expected to find in a first-class suite on an international flight back in the 1970s (if they made them this big). "Losing ridership and revenue has been a real challenge," said Donna DeMartino, the LOSSAN Agency . 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. 3hr 15min late into Wilmington (WIL) due to earlier police activity and rail congestion. These include things like cleaning every seat, private room, baggage rack, bathroom, button, caf car, dining car, and other publicly shared spaces with an EPA-registered disinfectant before the train leaves not to mention continuing to spray and wipe down all major touchpoints, including bathrooms, every couple of hours. "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. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. There was also a metal utility sink, molded plastic wall, and an airplane-sized bathroom with a handheld shower nozzle over the toilet. 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. 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. We were off. When that happens, Amtrak could reach its potential to consistently outshine the experience of driving a car from Detroit to Chicago with lower costs, less time and more convenience not to mention no fear of getting a dreaded three-figure parking ticket in Chicagoland. The most important thing we can do to keep passengers and employees safe is the use of face coverings, says Amtraks Kuhnen. "Youll have much more control over your environment and you can go a long way without being in contact with other people. The internet was spotty at best, forcing me to spend the hours admiring the scenery, reading, and making quick and easy lunchtime friends at my table in the dining room. According to online data, these locomotives burn about 10% less diesel fuel per mile than the old engines they are replacing and spew far less pollution, reducing by about 90% the two banes of diesel exhaust oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, the diesel soot thats noxious to human lungs. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Still, a handful of case studies have found that limited transmission can take place onboard. Detours with locals. "It's not to measure whether you have too much carbon dioxide as any kind of a toxin," Dr. Arnot said. WATCH LIVE Chicago & Suburban Cook Co. North Suburbs West Suburbs South Suburbs NW Indiana Despite the setback of the pandemic, riders can climb aboard not only what Amtrak touts as a safer mode of travel, but also one thats improving. Up until this point, all of my anxiety about traveling during a pandemic had managed to drown out something I hadnt even considered: the excitement of traveling. 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. We have no middle seats, so each passenger either is seated beside a companion or you have an empty seat next to you.. Monitoring carbon dioxide levels, getting more fresh outdoor air in spaces key. Our editors handpick the products that we feature. 15 people were likely infected with COVID-19 in-flight, study modeled the risk of in-flight infection, novel coronavirus tore through New York City, asked several international transportation agencies, report by the American Public Transportation Association, Environmental Protection Agency recommends them, Sorry, UFO Hunters--You Might Just Be Looking at a Spy Balloon, AI Outraces Human Champs at the Video Game Gran Turismo, The Pandemic's Mental Toll, and Does Telehealth Work? If the tests go well, METRO may add the purification to the rest of the fleet.For the buses, ridership is down about 60% from pre-pandemic levels.METRO launched a joint website with regional transit systems to provide information to riders about safety protocols.This summer, expect lots of open windows on the buses too to add extra ventilation, officials said.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. 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. Knowledge awaits. 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. METRO has partnered with the University of Southern Maine to carry out the tests on those devices. 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. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Among . 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. Follow Sophie Bushwick on TwitterCredit: Nick Higgins, Tanya Lewis is a senior editor at Scientific American who covers health and medicine. In fact, Dr. Arnot said he thought the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused too much early in the coronavirus pandemic response on cleaning surfaces (including the 19% of Americans who put bleach on their food to kill coronavirus) and not enough on lowering transmission through good ventilation for indoor spaces. 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. If another passenger somehow ends up sitting or standing too close to you, politely ask them to moveor, better, move yourself. Theres no doubt about that., Tips: Safe holiday travel | Coronavirus testing | Sanitizing your hotel | Using Uber and Airbnb, Flying: Pandemic packing | Airport protocol | Staying healthy on plane | Fly or drive | Best days to fly, Road trips: Tips | Rental cars | Best snacks | Long-haul trains | Foliage finder | Art road trips, Camping: First-time | Camping alone | Meal planning | Glamping | National parks, Places: Hawaii | Machu Picchu | New York | Private islands | Caribbean | Mexico | Europe. Since then, that number has climbed north of 30% as the calendar moved closer to summer. Travel writer Ali Wunderman has taken a couple long-distance Amtrak trips during the pandemic, from Montana to the Bay Area in August and from Portland, Ore., to Chicago, then to Boston in September and October. 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. As soon as I stepped into the boarding line at Portlands Union Station, I noticed signs of the times: masks and markers on the floor, instructing people where to stand. 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.. On the train, it's critical to wear a mask. 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. UPDATE: Vermonter Train 55 is currently operating approx. "We were at 2,000 PPM for the local classrooms here, and we opened the window and we were at 550 PPM," Arnot said. The new cars could be put into service as soon as this spring, said Michael Frezell, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which purchased the cars and owns much of the track Amtrak uses between Detroit and Chicago. With flying, COVID risk really comes down to how closely one sits to other people and for how long, whether or not everyone is wearing a mask, and how infectious any passengers are at the time. "Cambridge University says it is the best overall indicator of whether or not you have fresh air in that room or not. Oh, look at that! Her voice sounded like she had just won the lottery. Guidelines and suggestions only work if theyre enforced, and Amtrak has said that customers who refuse to wear a facial covering will be denied boarding, and those customers who still opt not to wear a facial covering will be provided with a full refund. 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. Khabbaza recommends train travelers book a private roomette or bedroom if they can afford to and if they are available. "Two of our new buses have an air purification, a U.V. UPDATE: Train 178 is back on the move and currently operating approx. 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. Its the people in your immediate vicinity that you have to worry about. He acknowledges that the joys of long-distance train travel include being able to wander around, pick up snacks at the dining car, and stretch your legs. They were very serious about having people wear masks. More. Dr. Arnot said he has submitted a proposal to the Biden Administration to mandate carbon dioxide meters in public indoor spaces like bars and restaurants. A post shared by Ali Wunderman (@aliwunderman). As the sun set on my first day, I was ready to call it a night. The company requires customers over 2 years old and employees to wear face coverings while onboard and in stations unless they are actively eating or drinking or in their own private room with the door closed. Amtrak will restore traditional dining car service on six western routes and the Auto Train on June 23. Risk News provided by quot ; Losing ridership and revenue has been ticketed the! A week to provide information regarding railroad operating matters is back on the move currently... Wary of catching COVID-19 may wonder: is taking a train safer operating matters East of Kalamazoo, where track! 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