Viruses are nothing new, but the spread of the COVID-19 virus has made it necessary to take new precautions. Using public transit or operating a bus during this time can feel unsettling since germs and viruses are invisible to the naked eye and could be lurking anywhere. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, whether your child is riding the school bus, you’re commuting on public transit, or you’re driving a public transportation vehicle.
When schools begin to meet in person again, parents and kids will have to take extra care to avoid contracting and spreading COVID-19, as well as other viruses like the flu. The school bus can be an ideal environment for viruses because children are seated near each other on soft, porous surfaces that can hold onto pathogens, like viruses and germs. One of the biggest culprits for viruses on a school bus is the backs of seats.
It’s unrealistic to avoid touching any surfaces on the school bus. So, how can you help your children stay safe while riding the school bus this fall? One way to stop the spread of viruses and germs on the bus is to avoid sharing. According to Sandi Delack, a past president of the National Association of School Nurses, this includes children keeping snacks and drinks to themselves, and for older kids, their phones.Cell phones can be covered in the owner’s viruses and germs, so using a friend’s phone to look at something, send a text or make a call can be dangerous if that friend is sick. Have an open conversation with your kids about these safety precautions and discuss any anxieties they feel so they can be confident about their plan.
Coronavirus can live for two to three days on a backpack’s surface if it’s made from a plastic material, so it’s wise to be careful about where you place your backpack. If possible, kids should avoid setting their backpacks and book bags on the floor of the bus. When they get home, have your kids set their backpacks down or hang them up in an area away from the kitchen counter or kitchen table where it could otherwise spread the virus.
Cleaning your hands regularly is one of the best ways to avoid spreading or contracting COVID-19. Make sure children wash their hands before getting on the bus, and send your children with a small bottle of hand sanitizer so they can use it after getting off the bus. This way, even if they do pick up viruses and germs by touching surfaces, they’ll quickly kill those pathogens. Hand sanitizer is something kids can share if their friends want to clean their hands, too.
Commuters who rely on public transit can take steps to stay safe and remain calm even when they need to take the city bus or use a rideshare service. First, if you think you may be sick, you should stay home and contact a healthcare professional. This is an important step to prevent spreading COVID-19 or another illness to others. You should never put other people at risk if you may have the virus.If you feel healthy and you’re wondering how to travel during the pandemic, here are a few COVID-19 commuter tips to help you ride safely:
For some commuters, stress and anxiety can be a major problem during this time. If you find yourself worrying about contracting COVID-19, it can help to inform yourself about the way the virus spreads so you can take the right steps and feel confident that you’ll stay safe. You can also try deep breathing techniques or use distractions like an audiobook or music to help you get through your commute calmly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using a cloth face covering whenever you’re in a public setting. This is primarily to keep you from passing the virus to your driver or other passengers. With COVID-19, you could be asymptomatic and still be contagious. When other commuters also cover their face, it’s a safer environment for everyone. You may be required to wear a face mask on some buses, so come prepared.
Sanitizing your hands is a quick and easy way to kill viruses and germs you may have picked up on your commute. Wait until you’ve exited the bus or vehicle to use your hand sanitizer. If you sanitize your hands while you’re riding and then touch surfaces like the tops of chairs or a handrail when you’re exiting, you could still leave carrying pathogens.
It may not be possible to maintain six feet of distance in a car, but you should still distance as much as you can. For rideshare services or taxis, you should sit in the back seat rather than in the front next to the driver. On a bus or van, try to space yourself so you’re as far away from other passengers as possible. Assigned seating will likely become an important change for facilitating social distancing on public transit.
If you’re a driver or transportation operator, you may be worried about being around passengers who could spread COVID-19 or other viruses. You can’t hop on and off your vehicle like a passenger. Because you’re in the vehicle for extended periods of time, it’s especially important you take steps to stay safe. Here are some COVID-19 safety tips from the CDC to help you protect yourself so you can continue to serve the public without putting yourself at risk:
Because social distancing is one of the most effective ways to prevent spreading COVID-19, you can ask passengers to maintain a distance of six feet or more from you and from each other if possible. You may want to open the rear entry doors rather than the front door near you for passengers to enter and exit the bus.
Cleaning and disinfecting regularly is a great way to get rid of viruses that could otherwise hang around for days on some surfaces. Focus on disinfecting surfaces that are commonly touched. If you’re touching a surface contaminated by bodily fluids, make sure you wear gloves while you clean.
As we keep mentioning, hand hygiene is key when you want to protect yourself from viruses. When you get a chance to wash your hands, do so thoroughly. When you’re unable to wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It’s also wise to avoid touching your face, especially if you haven’t recently sanitized your hands. You can encourage passengers to keep their hands clean by providing hand sanitizer at vehicle entrances and exits.
Rohrer Bus offers a range of transportation solutions, including buses and vans for sale and rent, parts and servicing and transportation services. Whatever your transportation needs, Rohrer Bus is here to help. We understand these are challenging times, and we’re taking positive steps to maintain safety. Contact us today to learn more about how we can serve your transportation needs.
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