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10/22/2020
Nearly a quarter of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) subway and bus workers have contracted COVID-19, according to a new study conducted by the New York University (NYU) School of Global Health.
The pilot study, conducted by NYU researchers in coordination with the Transport Workers Union Local 100 (TWU), illustrates the toll the pandemic is having on the physical and mental health of transit and other front-line workers, NYU officials said in a press release.
NYCT workers have continued to report to work during the pandemic so that New Yorkers can get to where they need to go. However, given their frequent contact with the public and limited space in crew rooms, the workers are at increased risk for contracting COVID-19, NYU officials said. They noted that thousands of transit workers have been infected and more than 90 TWU Local 100 members have died of the disease. In total, more than 130 Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers have died due to COVID-19.
"Through gaining a deeper understanding of how COVID-19 has impacted transit workers' health and quality of life, we can determine how to best support them and protect them moving forward," said Robyn Gershon, clinical professor at NYU School of Global Public Health, who leads the research project.
In August, Gershon and her colleagues sent surveys to a convenience sample of transit workers, asking them to anonymously share their experiences with COVID-19 and how the pandemic has affected their quality of life. The researchers received responses from 645 transit workers.
In addition to nearly one in four reporting they've had COVID-19, 90 percent of respondents said they are concerned about getting sick at work and more than 70 percent are fearful for their safety at work. Their safety concerns centered on dealing with angry or violent passengers when enforcing mask wearing, NYU officials said.
Based on their findings, the researchers recommended that the MTA not only continue offering testing — both virus and antibody — to workers, but expand it to better identify and isolate workers who may have the virus but do not show symptoms. They also recommended MTA continue making personal protective equipment readily available to employees.
The researchers also see an opportunity to support the transit workers' well-being by offering workplace mental health services.