Masks have been shown to dramatically reduce COVID-19 transmission. Wearing masks while using transit is a critical public health measure to protect riders and drivers.
Tomorrow, Saturday June 13th at 2pm Clevelanders for Public Transit (CPT) will be at Shaker Square distributing free face masks to transit riders to prevent the spread of COVID. Masks are also available to transit riders by request at clefortransit.org or calling/texting 216-714-2164.
Despite the Center for Disease Control’s recent recommendations encouraging people to drive alone to work, riding public transit while wearing a mask is no more dangerous than other indoor activities. In some Asian countries near universal mask wearing has limited corona infections. In fact, a recent study from Japan traced no corona infections to its heavily used commuter trains.
Additionally, African Americans are dying from COVID at higher rates than whites, even though they make up a smaller percentage of the population. While there are many factors of systemic racism such as lack of healthcare and working low wage service jobs in crowded conditions, African American neighborhoods have also been decimated by highway construction. Driving alone is not an affordable or reasonable option for everyone. Discouraging transit use will result in more driving and higher levels of air pollution, which is also linked with increased risk of death from COVID and will only increase health disparities.
On the other hand, masks can be made relatively cheaply. Some transit agencies, like Detroit DOT, have even made masks available to all riders using dispensers inside buses.
COVID has made us realize we all rely on essential workers in grocery stores, delivering our mail, and taking care of the sick. Many essential workers rely on transit. CPT encourages all riders to be safe while taking transit and wear a mask. If you don’t have one we’ll be happy to provide it. Thanks to Masks for Community and Laketran for donating masks to CPT!
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Clevelanders for Public Transit is a riders’ organization that builds power for affordable, accessible and equitable public transit in Northeast Ohio. For more information, visit clefortransit.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.