CDC directive to make masks mandatory on public transportation will save lives The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directive to make masks mandatory on public transportation starting February 1, 2021, was applauded by the ATU as a critical step in the fight against the pandemic.
the need for a major redesign of American buses like buses in Europe that have a glass panel enclosing the driver and that have access to a driver side door to exit in case of an emergency.
“Since this pandemic began, our members have been frontline heroes keeping our communities moving, often with little or no protection,” said International President John Costa. “This CDC mask directive will save lives. It comes after the deadliest month of the pandemic so far and with new, more contagious variants of the virus showing up. It is well established that masks, coupled with vaccinations, are the best way to protect against COVID.”
The ATU is also calling on transit agencies to have multilingual signs to inform riders about the federal mask mandate on buses, at bus stops, and transit centers.
Enforcement is key The ATU called on transit agencies to immediately begin working with workers and their unions to develop practical and effective protocols for dealing with passengers who refuse to wear masks as mandated by the directive. Transit workers have faced resistance ever since the CDC recommended wearing masks last year to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. An MTA bus driver was sucker-punched, and a California bus driver was hit with a baseball bat in a mask altercation. “If drivers are stressed and getting punched while driving and then get in a crash, people could be hurt,” said Costa. He points out the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated
“The ATU commends the Biden Administration’s CDC for this mask directive. We look forward to continuing to work with the Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, and the Biden Administration to prioritize the safety and health of frontline transit workers and all Americans to get this pandemic under control and help the nation recover,” concluded Costa. v IN TRANSIT
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