Covid will dictate the future

[bratkinson]

I've read many conflicting articles regarding masking, double masking, no masking, masking after vaccination, etc, to be convinced one way or another. Even the 'supreme health dictator' Dr Fauci has flip-flopped from one to another in the past 12 months and in some instances, disagreed with the CDC. Yes, masking and Covid and its variants will be with us forever.

And for what it's worth, thus far, I have 3 friends over the age of 75 that had Covid and recovered completely...none of the over 70s I know that have had it have died.

And in my case, having sinusitus and moderate emphysema, and taking a medication that has side effects that mimic allergies (especially sinus congestion and sneezing), whenever I put a mask on, I'm good for maybe 5-10 minutes before I realize that I am being starved of oxygen, eg, hypoxia, light headedness and all. I have no choice but to remove my mask for a minute or so to catch my breath, as it were. Double masking? Would literally end up on my dead body, in my opinion.

 

[jis]

There are now high quality filter masks with forced air delivery using a small LiIon battery (chargeable using any standard USB-C connector equipped charger) driven electric feeder available in the market to address the sort of problem you have. So all hope is not lost.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I've read many conflicting articles regarding masking, double masking, no masking, masking after vaccination, etc, to be convinced one way or another. Even the 'supreme health dictator' Dr Fauci has flip-flopped from one to another in the past 12 months and in some instances, disagreed with the CDC. Yes, masking and Covid and its variants will be with us forever.

And for what it's worth, thus far, I have 3 friends over the age of 75 that had Covid and recovered completely...none of the over 70s I know that have had it have died.

And in my case, having sinusitus and moderate emphysema, and taking a medication that has side effects that mimic allergies (especially sinus congestion and sneezing), whenever I put a mask on, I'm good for maybe 5-10 minutes before I realize that I am being starved of oxygen, eg, hypoxia, light headedness and all. I have no choice but to remove my mask for a minute or so to catch my breath, as it were. Double masking? Would literally end up on my dead body, in my opinion.

Always better to er on the side of caution...

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I've read many conflicting articles regarding masking, double masking, no masking, masking after vaccination, etc, to be convinced one way or another. Even the 'supreme health dictator' Dr Fauci has flip-flopped from one to another in the past 12 months and in some instances, disagreed with the CDC.

A "supreme health dictator" would have locked the country down with shelter-in-place orders. That in no way resembles what Fauchi actually believes or the position that he actually holds. You seem to be really confused.

I'm good for maybe 5-10 minutes before I realize that I am being starved of oxygen, eg, hypoxia, light headedness and all. I have no choice but to remove my mask for a minute or so to catch my breath, as it were.

If you can't survive wearing a mask without losing consciousness it's doubtful you can survive Covid.

 

[joelkfla]

I've read many conflicting articles regarding masking, double masking, no masking, masking after vaccination, etc, to be convinced one way or another. Even the 'supreme health dictator' Dr Fauci has flip-flopped from one to another in the past 12 months and in some instances, disagreed with the CDC. Yes, masking and Covid and its variants will be with us forever.

Dr. Fauci has not flip-flopped. His opinions have evolved as more data has become available. He has never advocated not to wear a mask after the benefits became clear.

 

[jiml]

What standards and which hotels are you talking about? Over the last few decades I've visited around 70 brands across hundreds of locations but I have not seen the "million times better" improvement you have.

 

[sttom]

Even before Covid there were reports of passengers, especially younger ones, who did not like sitting with strangers. That aside, the reality now is that it is unsafe to do so and may remain so for a very long time, possibly forever. It seems much more likely that Amtrak will have to focus on improving food quality both in cafe cars which will provide take out service and for 1st class passengers who will be served in their rooms.

Another factor that will need to be addressed is that of shared toilets. If anything has improved in recent decades, it is in the standard of bathroom amenities. Both homes and hotels now emphasize comfortable and well equipped bathrooms. People have come to expect a high standard. This makes the use of shared toilets for long distance passengers all the less acceptable.

I personally don't think COVID has forever changed the way we travel. We might expect things to be cleaner than we have accepted before, but outside of that I doubt much if anything will change.

On the first point, as one of these illusive Millennials destroying the transportation world, I may want to have the option to sit with just my partner in the dining car to enjoy a steak, but that doesn't mean I want that meal to be steak 'ums and tater tots. Plenty of Amtrak's predecessors had 2 person tables and counters to eat at, it wouldn't be a stretch to add those.

How are shared toilets that big of a deal? So long as they are clean and stocked, how is it a big deal? I know some people want a toilet in the roomettes, I personally don't and a bunch of others don't. Even if every room type got ensuite facilities, coach passengers will still have to share bathrooms. If you are worried about the transmission of COVID or the flu, increasing the number of times the air circulates would do more good than making sure everyone has their own toilet.

Also where are these places where hotel bathrooms are getting dramatically better? I'm sure the high end hotels are getting better, but nowhere I have stayed in....frankly as long as I can remember hasn't been that dramatically better as time went on. Yeah styles have changed, but I wouldn't consider style changing a dramatic improvement over whatever the style was 15 years ago. No matter what the style, you will still have a sink, toilet and shower whether or not they are hot pink or the gray that is in vogue now, the bathroom will still be functionally the same.

 

[Dakota 400]

Double masking? Would literally end up on my dead body, in my opinion.

Wearing a single mask tasks my respiratory system significantly. Wearing a double mask? Maybe we could get a significant discount on a dual funeral.

Some of those who don't have shortness of breath issues lack the understanding of those of us who do. May their time never come that they experience such.

 

[Cal]

Restaurants on the ground won't go away but they will have to continue distancing if these reports prove true. There isn't a way of distancing people in the dining-car. For a variety of reasons I think the dining-car is finished. New trains are going to be needed. This will be the time to redesign sleepers to include en suite bathrooms. The old Roomettes accommodated one, not two people, and at least had a toilet and sink. Current Roomettes are far too small for two. It's an unacceptable design. It would be a mistake to repeat it, especially with the likelihood of a virus that lasts for many years in one form or another.

I wouldn't hate it if they re-used the roomette design if they got new cars. I would like it to be updated though, probably making it longer. Replacing the closet with shelves. More power outlets. A little higher or more square car so the bunk will be more like the current viewliner one, etc. But the roomettes are still comfortable, and are a great use of space. And Amtrak is still public transportation. A roomette, I believe, is fine for that.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Mask wearing is here to stay... that is... double masking is here to stay... even after you get the vaccine.

No... it's not my personal opinion... it's what the doctors are telling us to do!

Reality is not only a pleasant topic.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/03/health/after-covid-19-vaccine-safety-wellness/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/28/health/double-masks-covid-19-wellness-trnd/index.html

Mask wearing is also good for those places that have lots of Air Polution, of which we still have far too many!

 

[20th Century Rider]

Looking forward to stepping off the Texas Eagle in Austin for a fantastic coming together with you... a wonderful friend through this blog... the air in your town is certainly clear and clean and welcoming of a celebration of friendship.

I may have this wrong... you'll let me know!!!!

 

[McIntyre2K7]

Don’t know if this has been posted but the House transportation committee has proposed 30 billion for transit with 1.5 billion ear-marked for Amtrak.

It would require LD trains to return to daily service and for Amtrak to being back employees who were furloughed.

 

[Cal]

Don’t know if this has been posted but the House transportation committee has proposed 30 billion for transit with 1.5 billion ear-marked for Amtrak.

It would require LD trains to return to daily service and for Amtrak to being back employees who were furloughed.

I wish Amtrak could get more...

 

[Old MM]

People need to think about how germs are spread. It's amazing that it took a modern day pandemic for people to wash their hands! Fingers, noses, surfaces, air transmission. If you're sick stay home. If you're the boss make it possible for your employees to stay home, quit obsessing about who might try to game the system. Greed should not take priority over public health. Government needs to set standards, businesses should enforce the standards and customers will gladly return.

 

[HenryK]

Here's another vote for double masking (or N95/KN95 masking if readily available). A week ago I had my second Pfizer *** (with a rather marked reaction) but have no plans to travel, eat at restaurants, or go to venues of multiple people, or even visit my family indoors. There are just too many uninformed or recalcitrant people out there who go unmasked—and who may be carrying one of the less pleasant mutations of the virus.

 

[gwolfdog]

There are now high quality filter masks with forced air delivery using a small LiIon battery (chargeable using any standard USB-C connector equipped charger) driven electric feeder available in the market to address the sort of problem you have. So all hope is not lost.

I have a beard. A friend told me that the particles could sneak under the Mask. Any opinions, here? Triple mask, shave, a Divers Helmet, move to Taiwan?

 

[TrackWalker]

I have a beard. A friend told me that the particles could sneak under the Mask. Any opinions, here? Triple mask, shave, a Divers Helmet, move to Taiwan?

I used to wear a beard at work for years. At some point it was decided we needed to have respirator fittings once a year.

At first I shaved yearly for these fittings. After few years of this I trimmed just enough to clear the mask seals. (with some touch up the first time on the day of the fitting until I got it just right.)

This allowed me to pass and I've worn a goatee ever since.

My point is for a good mask fit cut the beard to a point where there will be a good seal around the mask with no hair showing and the mask perimeter firmly against the skin.

 

[jis]

Or get a whole head helmet respirator. They are mighty expensive though and people will probably look strangely at you, except in Halloween parties.

For example

https://vinta.co/collections/active...gL-IR-f2V-F-6zj0KvvXxlMv3-K6q7daknzCez8kLjVnQ

 

[20th Century Rider]

People need to think about how germs are spread. It's amazing that it took a modern day pandemic for people to wash their hands! Fingers, noses, surfaces, air transmission. If you're sick stay home. If you're the boss make it possible for your employees to stay home, quit obsessing about who might try to game the system. Greed should not take priority over public health. Government needs to set standards, businesses should enforce the standards and customers will gladly return.

Your message is right on point!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I used to wear a beard at work for years. At some point it was decided we needed to have respirator fittings once a year.

At first I shaved yearly for these fittings. After few years of this I trimmed just enough to clear the mask seals. (with some touch up the first time on the day of the fitting until I got it just right.)

This allowed me to pass and I've worn a goatee ever since.

My point is for a good mask fit cut the beard to a point where there will be a good seal around the mask with no hair showing and the mask perimeter firmly against the skin.

Wow, never knew there were so many types/names for facial hair. (I have peach fuzz. )

 

[20th Century Rider]

Don’t know if this has been posted but the House transportation committee has proposed 30 billion for transit with 1.5 billion ear-marked for Amtrak.

It would require LD trains to return to daily service and for Amtrak to being back employees who were furloughed.

Not good... Amtrak needs 4.9 billion for sustainability. This seems like a rerun from before... the government is saying to do more, do it better, and do it for less. Meh!

https://www.enr.com/articles/50798-amtrak-2021-infrastructure-plan-hinges-on-49b-funding-request

 

[20th Century Rider]

Or get a whole head helmet respirator. They are mighty expensive though and people will probably look strangely at you, except in Halloween parties.

If everything else fails, just shave.

And if it comes down to making temporary sacrifices and adjustments it takes all of us to care enough!

 

[jis]

Not good... Amtrak needs 4.9 billion for sustainability. This seems like a rerun from before... the government is saying to do more, do it better, and do it for less. Meh!

This is an emergency appropriation to get Amtrak (and the nation) over the immediate issues, and not a long term development plan funding. The next opportunity for negotiating that will come up in the FY22 Appropriation Process later this year.

 

[20th Century Rider]

This is an emergency appropriation to get Amtrak (and the nation) over the immediate issues, and not a long term development plan funding. The next opportunity for negotiating that will come up in the FY22 Appropriation Process later this year.

Wondering if they can afford to go back to daily service with skeleton funding???

https://www.enotrans.org/article/amtrak-requests-2-34-billion-in-fy21-appropriations/

 

[jis]

CEO Flynn has explicitly asked for $1.5 Billion to restore full service by July. This is the exact amount that has been included in the Draft Bill. If anyone here wants to second guess the CEO maybe they should send a missive to the CEO and argue with him