Pdxrailtransit Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks Berg. Regarding cleaning I would hope that
> Amtrak would contract that out to professionals.
> Someone like the people who clean crime scenes.


It's not a hazmat situation. Airborne particles carrying the virus don't appear to stay airborne more than about a half hour. If a crew waits an hour after unloading to reenter the car there is no inhalation risk. They don't need masks, they just need to remember to not touch their faces, particularly eyes, ears, nose, mouth.

The virus is easily removed with many common non-toxic and household cleaners. It can last on surfaces for up to 9 days at room temperature, and more than a month in temps in the 30/s. So they do need to make sure they wash their hands thoroughly after cleanup. It would be wise to change clothes, too. But they don't need hazmat suits.

I would guess you are in the most vulnerable age group, age 50 and above. You might be wise to read up on the simple precautions to take to greatly reduce risk of exposure. And what the virus is and isn't in regard to contagiousness. 15% death rate over age 80, and a 5 to 20% rate of hospitalization for the total infected population, is nothing to sneeze at.

Important since we are probably just a few weeks away from hospitals being overwhelmed and likely rationing care, squeezing out the elderly. Which is taking place now in Italy. Reports of some hospitals not even screening patients over 65 with pre-existing serious conditions. I.e., leaving them to die because they don't have enough room and staff and equipment.

The window to prevent this by slowing the spread is almost closed. Politicians too timid to implement the widescale quarantines required, like Italy is doing too late. Reality TV Star In Chief too busy tweeting in denial half the day on his toilet, CDC screwing up and fighting turf wars. Pence committee being micromanaged by the orange buffoon. Not that Dementia Joe would do much better, the Demototalitarians are too busy with important stuff like claiming calling it the Wuhan Flu is Wacist. Not a single governor has gone far enough. At least some like Cuomo and Oregon's are somewhat proactive.

Prepare now, it's likely the hospitals may not have room if we need them in the next few months as exposures peak. Staff short facilities swamped with CV cases will result in higher death rates for non-related things like heart attacks, accident injuries, and even childbirth complications.