In the quiet between trains, the MBTA has begun making announcements this week reminding people that during flu season they should wash their hands frequently and cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze or cough.
If you already happen to know these things, the public health campaign, which began amid an early and heavy flu season, is mostly a reminder that you are about to enter a tiny space with a bunch of strangers during an epic flu season.
Comments
As I ride the commuter rail in this very morning there are people hacking and coughing. Most with out a thought or care for the people around them. Not the little nose irritated sneeze from perfume or lak of a washing but those obviously sick. Intent to spread their illness to others. Last might same thing. Even when I asked the bearded man behind me to at least cover his mouth on coughing, did he? I'll let you guess.
Even if you sanitize yourself and everyone attempts to cover their mouths when they sneeze and cough, in an enclosed space like the T you're doomed regardless. No sense worrying about it, it's in the air. If you get sick you get sick. No one I know that uses Purell or washes incessantly gets any less sick than the people who don't worry about it. Rates of the common cold and flu never went down when Purell came out, should tell you something. I'm not saying it's not worth taking what precautions you can. But when it comes down to it, if you leave your house and interact with other humans for work/play/etc, you're gonna get sick. It's just a fact of life.
i am suprised that those that ride the train have not introduced masks, as those worn in japan, and gloves to cover their hands. why wouldnt you do something to protect your self? Should you really be concerned how you look and what others think of you wearing a mask?
wear gloves -even cheap ones from a dollar store or hardware store Throw aways, or lose them no big deal...cheap money. Then when you are near sneezy face, turn away as much as you possibly can from the waist up...This is harm reduction.. You can't be 100 % but there are things you can do that are going to decrease the ability to spread/pick up germs that are effective. To hold the bars and not know what's on them, and let crap sink into your skin, no cleanser is that effective. The coughs and sneezes are so spontaneous that there is often nothing you can do in the second, but you can surely see a reddish face that looks sick, etc....and just simple be more aware of who/what is around you and protect yourself with gloves.