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NYC Gets 24-Hour Vaccines Before 24-Hour Subway Service
By
Stephen Nessen
Published Jan 14, 2021
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Stephen Nessen / Gothamist
By
Stephen Nessen
Published Jan 14, 2021
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Despite scant scientific data supporting the practice, the time-intensive daily surface cleaning of New York City’s subway cars continues apace, and transit officials say they expect overnight teams of cleaners will keep wiping down seats and poles through much of 2021.
Nine months ago the MTA halted overnight subway service from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for the nightly disinfecting regimen, for the stated purpose of combating the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. At the time, many people were still laboriously cleaning off groceries with disinfectant wipes and slathering on hand sanitizer every five minutes.
But the scientific understanding of how COVID-19 spreads has evolved since then, with most research showing that the virus is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets, said Dr. Gabrielle String, a postdoctoral scholar at Tufts University who has reviewed all the published studies on COVID-19 from January to July and is in the process of reviewing all the studies since then.
“If you read anything from CDC or World Health Organization, the primary transmission route for COVID-19 is person-to-person, through, close contact, so large respiratory droplets,” Dr. String said.
Nevertheless, String said the overnight cleanings are a good idea because they help stop the spread of the common cold and the flu, which alleviates pressure on the healthcare system.
The MTA insisted this week that the overnight shutdown and cleanings were still necessary -- and had the backing of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“The expectation is that there will not be any kind of ‘herd effect’ from mass immunizations until late in 2021 at the best case. So we’ve got a long winter, spring, summer, fall, at a minimum of wearing masks, disinfecting,” said Pat Warren, the MTA’s safety officer.
An EPA spokesperson confirmed to Gothamist/WNYC that it backed the wipe-down regimen in addition to other measures, such as new air filters on the trains and enforcing mask compliance, but added it was up to the transit agency to determine the best time to conduct the cleaning.
Governor Andrew Cuomo and the MTA remain committed to its nightly anti-COVID approach, despite its steep cost: last year the cleaning, free masks, and other COVID expenses cost the MTA $334 million. It’s expected to cost another $500 million this year, according to the MTA’s most recent financial plan.
MTA cleaners told Gothamist/WNYC they hoped the spray and wipe nightly cleanings helped keep commuters safe, and they were grateful to be able to work with minimal disruption from people who sought shelter on the trains.
“I don’t have to worry about being harmed,” MTA cleaner Kim Ford, 27, told Gothamist/WNYC recently at the Coney Island terminal. “The feces, all of that that we used to see regularly because of the homeless, it has dissipated.”
Warren said since the shutdown began, a record number of homeless individuals have agreed to leave the subway and entered the shelter system. But this “record” lacks context, since this is the first time the MTA has ever shut down the system overnight for an extended period of time.
From May, when the shutdown began, until January, 5,710 homeless individuals at subway stations, “accepted referrals to shelter services,” according to the New York City Department of Homeless Services. Out of that group, 1,875 ended up accepting some sort of placement in a shelter, or about 33 percent of the people who spoke with outreach workers.
Stephen Nessen / Gothamist
But as 24-hour vaccine sites open, many elected officials and advocates are calling for the return of full subway service so people can get to the 24-hour vaccination sites, like the far flung one at Citifield, which is expected to open later this month.
State Senators Robert Carroll and Brad Hoylman have introduced a bill to restore 24-hour subway service unless there’s a state of emergency declared.
“As long as riders comply with mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines, the MTA can resume overnight subway service. Such an effort would bring relief to many late night workers, many of whom are essential workers, who rely on transit during off-peak hours,” the Tri-State Transportation campaign wrote in a statement.
The MTA has said there is adequate bus service for riders that need to get around during the shutdown, and that it can adjust service if demand changes.
For now, though, Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio are unexpectedly aligned on this issue: the subways should stay closed overnight for cleaning.
Listen to reporter Stephen Nessen's radio story for WNYC:
Tagged
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we the commuters
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Stephen Nessen
Stephen Nessen covers transportation. Since 2008 he has reported on everything from Occupy Wall Street, the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, Hurricane Sandy, to Trump’s campaign for president. His transportation reporting has taken him everywhere from the MTA’s secret Rail Control Center to the gleaming subways of Seoul. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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