NEW YORK — The head of a union representing Metro-North Railroad employees is asking that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority drop its mask mandate because of a series of confrontations involving conductors on the commuter railroad and passengers who have become combative when asked to wear a mask.
Lohud.com reports Edward Valente, general chairman of the Association of Commuter Rail Employees, says conductors have been spit on and assaulted after telling passengers masks are required.
The requirement reflects guidance from the New York State Department of Health and is endorsed by Gov. Kathy Hochul; Hochul would have to make the decision to ease the requirement.
“Obviously [the mask rule] comes from a good place,” Valente said. “But at this point in the pandemic, we’re on an island and it’s doing more harm than good. Mask optional is the way to go.”
He said nearly half the passengers on some trains are not wearing masks and is advising conductors to make an announcement about the requirement but not to become involved in individual confrontations.
Jacob, sorry to confirm it but Joe did say it
Well the new paint scheme units are at least in service. Saw 8667 on the head end on the Rochelle railroad park web cam yesterday afternoon.
Jacob, I think the new paint scheme will improve velocity dramatically.
When the most strident mask cultists in places I hang out stopped wearing masks, I knew I’d been right all along …. masks are at best useless. I’d go a step further and say that they are harmful.
At Mass last Sunday, for the first time in years, we were invited to greet people around us. Still no communion wine, though. In stores, plexiglass is coming down, another useless, unhealthy and environmentally destructive practice brought to us by the Quack Fauci and his ilk.
Canada has gone nuts. In America tens millions of people every week fly, take trains, or patronize other means of public transport without masks. We’re better for it.
The logic in your first paragraph does not make sense. Just because folks stop something now does not mean that action was not helpful at another time. COVID is most definitely an airborne disease; therefore covering one’s mouth should and has been proven to decrease airborne diseases. Numerous studies also demonstrated wearing masks early on helped.
However now that folks are sick and tired of wearing masks, we have other belts and suspenders and rates are way down even with the current spike, I agree mandates no longer are effective at this time.
But hey this is a railroad enthusiast blog. What do you all think of the new UP paint scheme? Looks like cost cutting to me.
SEPTA dropped its mask mandate; then the City imposed one of its own. SEPTA decided it was an interstate (PA, NJ, DE) carrier and was Federally regulated. Since US CDC had relaxed the mask mandate, they would not require them.
Finally “optional but welcome” on GO Transit (Metro Toronto bus & rail, provincial), still required on Via, airports and aircraft in Canada because… reasons.
Any city that is suffering social decline will eventually suffer economic decline. It usually does take longer that the reverse situation where a city suffers economic decline and then the social decline follows. But it will eventually happen.
Wondering, Mark, if there is a problem with you wearing a mask if you want to, of course if you have your shots you can’t get Covid, Joe said.
Laurence I see you didn’t mention about the social decline, no urine or poop on sidewalks where I live.
Not sure if Joe said that but he was wrong. The shots were approved to decrease the risk of hospitalization and death. They continue to work well to do that.
Mask mandates only exist in the states and cities that are in economic and social decline. In cities and states with stable or growing economies, low crime, and more livable social environments, mask mandates went away long ago.
Like here in Florida where the numbers are going up again because of Gov. Duh and his “freedumbs”.
New York is in economic decline? I’d love to see statistical evidence to support this contention.
New York City is booming the illegals crossing the wide open border are the biggest quickest stimulus in history and we can’t wait to elect more inept government clowns, the circus lives on….