Would you feel safe today commuting to work on a a crowded METRO bus/rail-- as long as you are wearing a mask (buying, live)

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Wakeforest20

Every day there is more and more traffic and activity in the streets.

Not true, IMO. I commute 50 miles (each way) and have gone into the office a handful of times over the past few weeks. And while never "heavy", it actually feels like there are less cars on the road as the weeks go on, not more.

[skeddy]

Originally Posted by spencgr

I've had to go in a handful of times and have actually found that wearing a mask for 8 or so hours was, surprisingly, not hard to do. I just got used to it.

why can't federal workers wear a mask at work? Millions of workers are doing it right now, all day, every day.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by skeddy

why can't federal workers wear a mask at work? Millions of workers are doing it right now, all day, every day.

Who says they aren't? It is a requirement to wear a mask in any federal office building. Well, except for one which is the White House.

I've been in the office several times during this thing and am going in on Monday. I will be required to wear a mask unless I am sitting at my own desk.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by skeddy

why can't federal workers wear a mask at work? Millions of workers are doing it right now, all day, every day.

Who said they can't or are being told they can't?

I know of no place in the region that isn't requiring that people wear a mask inside buildings.

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by Wakeforest20

Would you feel safe returning to METRO if you knew the bus and trains would be jammed with people just like they were in 2019? Would a mask protect you from the crowded METRO train? If you were in charge, how would you implement a reopening of Federal Offices?

Time for the world to get back to work.

[MrKnight]

We must reopen, it is simply the right thing to do, we cannot keep workplaces closed forever until a miracle cure arises, this is simply not realistic nor feasible/sustainable. The metro is very safe, I have used it multiple times over the past several weeks, passengers levels are not anywhere near pre-pandemic levels even during peak rush hours, on every train I have been on thus far every single passenger I have seen has worn a mask the entire train ride and the HVAC system in each car is running constantly circulating fresh air from outside the car, there is also lots of space to move around and easily distance yourself from other passengers. At no point in time have I felt unsafe on the metro, so to answer the OP's question, YES the federal government should re-open and YES the metro is safe to use.

Note that as of this week, the Smithsonian Institution has re-opened SIX museums in DC, in addition, metro service has been fully restored to pre-pandemic operations with all stations open and rush hour service in place. These are clear indicators that more than likely the federal government will move forward with re-opening.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by MrKnight

YES the federal government should re-open .

The federal government IS open.

[MrKnight]

Originally Posted by spencgr

The federal government IS open.

I am referring to the OP's statement that the federal government is planning on reopening physical office buildings, it is literally the topic of this thread.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by MrKnight

I am referring to the OP's statement that the federal government is planning on reopening physical office buildings, it is literally the topic of this thread.

So, please explain why it is not feasible to keep the fed gov't buildings closed until a vaccine is widely distributed?

[MrKnight]

Originally Posted by spencgr

So, please explain why it is not feasible to keep the fed gov't buildings closed until a vaccine is widely distributed?

I don't believe the intent of the OP was for this thread to become a debate about the pandemic nor associated political themes, your question seems to be blatant attempt to spark a debate. I was simply answering the OP's question, IMHO I believe it is not only safe to re-open but it is also ESSENTIAL for the viability of our economy, to sit around and wait for a vaccine to magically appear (most likely will not be widely available until 2021 at the earliest) is frankly silly and unproductive. Re-opening federal buildings will have an immensely positive impact on the local economy, the return of commuters will feed desperately needed business into restaurants/bars/coffee shops/dry cleaners/etc., increase metro ridership, stimulate neighborhoods, bring people back to work in other feeder industries, etc.