COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic: Amtrak-related Discussion

[AmtrakBlue]

That's gonna be dang hot in the summertime.

These are made for summer wear and offer 50+ sun protection.

 

[ET2020]

Good points. The Mask should fit well and it's nice to not feel self conscious in them. Now you can find them in your favorite sports team, scary clown face or Kardashian.

So only 2 choices: Sports Team, or Scary Clown-Faced-Kardashian ??

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

So only 2 choices: Sports Team, or Scary Clown-Faced-Kardashian ??

They do come in other prints, too (including a cowl/gaiter version of a cowboy bandanna).

 

[gwolfdog]

Both UVA and Covid-19 protection works for me.

 

[Skyline]

I'm ok with the 14 day quarantine for out-of-staters. Why should we let others potentially pass the virus onto our residents and then our health system has to deal with those new cases. I think we should have gone further and say that any Delawarean who leaves the state and then comes back should also self-quarantine.

We are the UNITED States of America. Next some states will insist upon passports to enter.

 

[Mark P]

Can someone share a link or recommend a place where I can acquire lighter, more breathable masks? The one I have now is just a typical N95 mask that I only wear for short stints to the grocery store, and I cannot imagine wearing it for longer than 20-30 mins at a time.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

We are the UNITED States of America. Next some states will insist upon passports to enter.

Well, if these United States shared resources, then it wouldn’t be an issue. Or if all states has shut down at the same time, etc.
The federal govt should have insured a domestic travel ban, in addition to an international one, to contain the spread.

 

[Asher]

With all the states opening up to some degree, it's going to be interesting over the next two to three weeks seeing how the rate of infection moves. Downward we all hope, I am more than dubious though. I see many people wearing mask in public, I also am seeing more and more not wearing. The Pres. and his bunch are setting a bad example and what's up with quarantine for those in contact with someone who test positive. I just noticed the VP aide also is infected.

 

[gwolfdog]

Well, if these United States shared resources, then it wouldn’t be an issue. Or if all states has shut down at the same time, etc.
The federal govt should have insured a domestic travel ban, in addition to an international one, to contain the spread.

You are right about the International Travel Ban. Cuomo just spoke on how millions from Europe flew into NYC Airports weeks after the China Ban. They traveled to other parts of the country and spread it more. These United States don't share resources, they Bid against each other for resources and states with fewer sick residents get the same $ as sicker states. We blew a chance to cut losses when we had it. The Market goes up and I worry if my kids will have their government jobs, after the Billions are recklessly thrown around. Just Insanity

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

I have no problem with wearing a mask on the trains or in stations to protect others. I do find it hard to breathe in them for a long time but can deal with that if we get “breaks” (at our seat or in a roomette, for example).

However, as someone who tends to trip over her own feet in the best of circumstances, I am having trouble because I cannot see the ground when wearing one. I have tripped several times on my morning walks, and I am concerned about not being able to see the train steps, especially when detraining. Usually, I can see where I’m going, and the conductor helps me down.

But between wearing a mask and not being able to see down clearly, and certainly not asking the conductor to put his health in jeopardy by touching my hand, I am wondering how I will manage.

Anyone else have similar concerns or ideas on how to handle this?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

They do come in other prints, too (including a cowl/gaiter version of a cowboy bandanna).

Not sure you got the jest of his post. I had to read it twice before I did.

 

[Asher]

Can someone share a link or recommend a place where I can acquire lighter, more breathable masks? The one I have now is just a typical N95 mask that I only wear for short stints to the grocery store, and I cannot imagine wearing it for longer than 20-30 mins at a time.

Old Navy/ Gap just started selling mask made out of leftover material. They'd look comfortable, they are the pleated type, 5 for $13 plus shipping.

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

Not sure you got the jest of his post. I had to read it twice before I did.

I got it, but added clarification for those who truly were looking for other styles.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

To be clear wearing masks is a pain in the a- er, tuchus. I hate the things. I have a surgical mask (my wife got a few from a client who had them) and I have trouble breathing, I have trouble seeing, and I can’t breathe adequately when I go out to walk for exercise when wearing one- so I don’t wear one, I just cover my face and hold my breath and further distance when I come across other people.

But when I am in close confines with other people (like inside a store- or on a train), it is simply tough nuggies. We need to protect others. However, please listen up to the following:

DO NOT WEAR VENTED N95 RESPIRATORS OR NON-DISPOSABLE N95 FACE MASKS.

The non disposable ones are the ones with the big filter cartridges mostly used for doing hazardous work. Vented ones are the ones with the plastic valve in the fiber mask.

Both of these have breathing vents that open on exhalation and are designed to exhaust air rapidly. They improve the ease of breathing, but what they do is filter on inhalation and exhaust unfiltered air on exhalation. This works great when you are trying to keep sawdust from your lungs; it does little to keep you from exhaling contaminated particles.

for this crisis All of these face coverings are about keeping saliva vapor from the air; vented masks are inferior to no mask at all (because in that case you are aware of your potential to infect). Putting your t-shirt over your face is a better idea then a vented mask.

i am speaking in my capacity as someone who used to sell safety equipment for a living.

 

[Barb Stout]

To be clear wearing masks is a pain in the a- er, tuchus. I hate the things. I have a surgical mask (my wife got a few from a client who had them) and I have trouble breathing, I have trouble seeing, and I can’t breathe adequately when I go out to walk for exercise when wearing one- so I don’t wear one, I just cover my face and hold my breath and further distance when I come across other people.

But when I am in close confines with other people (like inside a store- or on a train), it is simply tough nuggies. We need to protect others. However, please listen up to the following:

DO NOT WEAR VENTED N95 RESPIRATORS OR NON-DISPOSABLE N95 FACE MASKS.

The non disposable ones are the ones with the big filter cartridges mostly used for doing hazardous work. Vented ones are the ones with the plastic valve in the fiber mask.

Both of these have breathing vents that open on exhalation and are designed to exhaust air rapidly. They improve the ease of breathing, but what they do is filter on inhalation and exhaust unfiltered air on exhalation. This works great when you are trying to keep sawdust from your lungs; it does little to keep you from exhaling contaminated particles.

for this crisis All of these face coverings are about keeping saliva vapor from the air; vented masks are inferior to no mask at all (because in that case you are aware of your potential to infect). Putting your t-shirt over your face is a better idea then a vented mask.

i am speaking in my capacity as someone who used to sell safety equipment for a living.

Wow, do you have images of N95 masks with and without the exhalation valves? And what about N100 masks? Is it the same deal there? My sister has a N100 mask from when she worked in old, dusty and rodent-infested buildings to avoid hantavirus as well as other things, I assume. Hers has those cylinders coming from the side of the face and looks like a gas mask, but without the face shield.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

The valves can be in a variety of places, so a specific picture would be pointless; the valves are made out of hard plastic, whereas the rest of the mask is made of fiber; if it had a substantial area, usually square or round, of the mask made of plastic it is likely valved; under its more Normal uses, a valve is a positive feature, so it’s usually advertised.

Cartridge-style masks all have valves; that’s how they work: all outside air is drawn in through a filter while the valve is closed by the negative internal air pressure (suction), thus filtering all air. When you exhale, there is positive air pressure in the mask, which opens the valve for you to exhale through. It will protect you from what it is supposed to that is outside of you, but will not filter it’s exhaust.

These masks are primarily designed to protect you from things in the air; they are not designed to protect the air from you. Non-vented N95s do this as a factor of their cheapness in not including a valve.

The virus is too small to be directly blocked from being drawn in by any type of mask that filters air. What masks do when you wear them for covid-19 is capture the moisture in your breath, which is the primary and most dangerous transmission of the virus. Any dense cellulose (cotton/paper) face covering will generally accomplish that task. If someone infected were to spit on your mask and you were to breathe in, it wouldn’t really protect you; that includes N95s.

 

[PVD]

One of the reasons why healthcare workers often wear face shields..

 

[Thirdrail7]

The Downeasters are "down and out" through 5/31 and there are rumblings of Acela restorations in early June.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

The Downeasters are "down and out" through 5/31 and there are rumblings of Acela restorations in early June.

You're slipping TR7, Amtrak announced it on FB yesterday.

https://media.amtrak.com/2020/05/am...pQ60OT8njmMcikLz6OIWhiJaAZtRxO4Ily8nWUpbuEMNM

 

[user 14106]

I still have a June booked joy ride with points. I am considering still going if my state (And destination state) has relaxed travel quarantining restrictions and if the Zephyr goes back to normal food service on June 1st as currently advertised. Given the fact that businesses will probably be closed in places it will likely be mostly just a train adventure if I go and I won’t stay long wherever I go. We shall see what happens! Given that it’s points I’m holding off on final decision making.

 

[lonewolfette9847]

Anyone else continuously fogging up their glasses while wearing their mask?

Or perhaps I’m just full of hot air.

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

Anyone else continuously fogging up their glasses while wearing their mask?

Or perhaps I’m just full of hot air.

It's been happening to me, too, although not so much since I switched from a mask to a bandanna over the face.

 

[me_little_me]

The proper solution is for Amtrak to ensure the staff clean the coach bathrooms on a regular basis. Out of hundreds of coach flights I can count major issues with bathroom cleanliness on one hand, whereas on Amtrak I can count the number of times the coach bathroom was not disgusting on one hand.

I don't know if it is in the current Amtrak Standards manual but it was in the older ones. At McDonalds and other major fast food restaurants, they have the same issue. The problem is caused by the customers but the solution is not to make an announcement chiding everyone for the state of the restrooms but instead to have the employees clean them on a regular basis and, if a customer tells the manager that a restroom needs attention, have an employee do it ASAP.

If Amtrak doesn't think their employees are nobodies and feels it is below their position on the train, then Amtrak needs to hire someone to do it - either by having someone periodically come aboard at one stop and clean until the next stop (then return by Amtrak-paid taxi) or have a fulltime cleaning person onboard whose only job is to keep bathrooms and cars clean. They would continuously go from end to end, periodically cleaning restrooms and around seats where people have departed, cleaning tables in the cafe, diner and lounge, and completely cleaning any rooms that have become unoccupied. At night, they would be on a reduced schedule (once a night with no vacuuming?), of course, so they can get some sleep.

The first or both of those could be contracted out as I am sure the staff wouldn't mind being able to drop the "requirement" to do that work in exchange for allowing Amtrak to contract it.

 

[Qapla]

I have found lowering my glasses on my nose a bit stops the fogging.

My wife and I discussed it and have finally decided - we are going to cancell our trip to Raleigh in July. We just don't things are really going to be back to normal enough for us to feel comfortable going for a week. The bummer thing is - this is the second year in a row we have had to cancell this trip ... last year it was Hurricane Dorian that caused the cancellation.

 

[PVD]

There are some good anti fog sprays that are used on hockey helmet visors.....Most of the players carry them in their bags.