I think it is, but I'll refrain from making any snarky comment about it.
https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/nonstop-acela-trains-between-washington-and-new-york-suspended-due-to-coronavirus.html
While I believe coronavirus is a cause for concern, I don't believe it's a cause for panic, and a lot of this strikes me as bordering on panic. What do you think?
PS: I've got a "bug" right now, but as is typical in my case it's just enough to make me miserable, not knock me on my ass. It pays to come from good, hearty peasant stock, I suppose.
Lady Firestorm gave it to me, she probably picked it up from those old ladies she hangs around with in her knitting society.
She doesn't want it back either.
Gesundheit!
An overreaction? Who can say at this (early) point?
I have two trips on the Lake Shore Limited scheduled for the end of April and a trip on the California Zephyr for June. I'd like to go, but I don't need to go. By mid April I'll have to make a call and right now it's a toss-up.
Both United and Amtrak sent me emails this morning detailing the steps they're taking to keep passengers safe. Is that overreacting or prudent?
The Acela train above was pretty empty it seems, so why operate it and lose money when there's other service that's comparable?
Flintlock76While I believe coronavirus is a cause for concern, I don't believe it's a cause for panic, and a lot of this strikes me as bordering on panic. What do you think?
It strikes me that this is like a common thing for a great many groups to pile onto, to cause the same kind of crisis in the general economy that breaking the Reading Combine did in the United States after 1892.
Remember all those discussions we had about the 'recession' that never quite seemed to arrive on schedule after the tariffs? Now we have a worldwide 'reduction of trade' that in various ways is chalked up to the "coronavirus" in some ultimately vague way, presumably tied to its terrible potential for 'lethality' if it were ever to establish itself a la Captain Trips... or whatever.
Meanwhile, it seems to me that almost everywhere there has been an outbreak, the 'result' has been a short cluster of relatively high lethality, followed by a relative explosion of cases but few additional deaths. While I won't claim cause-and-effect, the kinetics are exactly those mirroring a prompt response to infection with proper 3CLpro inhibitors -- as with FIP.
Presumably some of those high-paid people at CDC got hold of the original Chinese sequencing results of the original ultra-infectious clone, and have been tracking the point differences in clones of all the reported outbreaks since then. If they have, they will be getting an increasingly good idea of whether the regions that govern protease-inhibition treatment are more or less labile, or more or less conserved, than those that likely have provided the higher 'infectiousness' (cf the PNAS paper that Jones1945 provided the reference for, on the hemagglutinin gene, now several months old).
I repeat that the 3CLpro inhibitor production, in China, for the demonstrably similar coronavirus clone that produces symptoms of FIP in cats, has been in volume production for over a year, and that identification of the 'susceptible' regions in the viral genome has really been 'settled science' for quite some time, verifiable even in 'free access' papers. Note how little the 'official' press coverage has addressed this (aside from the usual National Inquirer-type stories about "the Chinese engineered the coronavirus to ruin the American economy in response to Trump's tariff nightmare" or whatever).
I notice that the 'origin story' about bats can't apparently even keep the difference with Ebola straight. Perhaps there are studies by now about how a fundamentally feline virus could get into rodents (rather than the 'other way round' through predation). But note how the 'exotic meat market' in Wuhan seems to have disappeared entirely from news reports as the 'ground zero' source of the initial crossover. This too is a remarkably 'uranium-235-shaped hole' in the coverage to me.
None of this is meant to cheapen the probably very real enhanced transmissibility and short induction period reported for current 'dangerous' clones of this virus, nor the danger it may pose to certain cohorts of people. Be careful to distinguish the death rate from 'bacterial coinfection' (and prompt treatment of it, and prophylaxis therefor) from that of the far more dangerous induced immune-system effects that were the true horror in the 1918 influenza 'waves', as well as taking care to make a 'usual' correction for issues in the elderly and very young, and in immunocompromised people of various kinds.
In many historic epidemics, there are sensible measures that could be taken, and there is hysterical or 'feel-good' response. Presumably the idea of suspending the Acela trains is based on the idea that the people who can afford the agio are also the people most likely to have the affluence to visit China recently. Combined with the relative inability to determine whether specific passengers have traveled to likely infection areas before they board a train. One suspects this is the product of some cogitation on the part of Amtrak and other governmental personnel, not just a knee-jerk me-too pile-on effort to make the virus more effective as the biological equivalent of one of those hysterical winter-weather advisories. But I'm not a Christian Scientist, so the appendicitis just hurts.
Sorry, but I think it is far more sensible to trust the actual scientists at the CDC, NIH, WHO and affiliated medical and epidemiological researchers. Credentials do matter.
charlie hebdoSorry, but I think it is far more sensible to trust the actual scientists at the CDC, NIH, WHO and affiliated medical and epidemiological researchers. Credentials do matter.
We ARE trusting them. It's all these other buffoons that are causing the problems.
Now I find a story (which I reached from the Holland iLINT coverage) that ongoing 'coronavirus problems' will be an excuse to hold up PTC adoption past the December 2020 deadline. Wanna bet how much objective 'science' factors into that when the time comes?
Your post goes far beyond rail service cancellations and delays and PTC. Certain political figures appear to want to minimize the expert opinions for their own personal benefit.
SAFETY FIRST!
charlie hebdoCertain political figures appear to want to minimize the expert opinions for their own personal benefit. SAFETY FIRST!
That is very true, and I add the emphasis for agreement.
My problem is that there are many more figures, political and otherwise, who appear to want to maximize, or indeed overexaggerate or outright fake, actual 'expert opinions' for their own benefit ... be that personal, corporate, or otherwise.
(I would also mention that I have had considerable, firsthand experience with 'politically' related academic research in the biomedical sciences, and the variety of issues and problems produced thereby even by people with spotless technical credentials. I consequently remain firmly in the 'trust, but verify' group when it comes to science as reported in media or without hard documentation -- without requiring that anyone else share my opinions or even be persuaded by them.)
Some more evidence of those superior credentials:
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/how-many-americans-have-been-tested-coronavirus/607597/
Of course some people will claim this is all Trump meddling, or something like that.
Its just prepare for the worse but believe it will be much less. Don't prepare in any way that will not be recoverable when it becomes much less of a problem.
What about stopping the Greyhound/Megabus/Chinatown bus service..At last check Intercity Bius stations are among the dirtiest places on planet earth
Every non-stop service offered by NRPC between NYP and WUS has always come to an end for one given reason or another although the real reason was ridership or lack thereof. Then again, Amtrak's reasoning is scurrilous at best. For example, how many years after Hurricane Katrina did they still give that as an excuse for not resuming the east end of the Sunset Limited?
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
OvermodNow I find a story (which I reached from the Holland iLINT coverage) that ongoing 'coronavirus problems' will be an excuse to hold up PTC adoption past the December 2020 deadline. Wanna bet how much objective 'science' factors into that when the time comes?
Yet not enough to suspend these completely rediculous and draconian attendance policies* that were shoved down our throats.
*policies that were not agreed to in any contract, I might add.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
"Attendance policies" refers to what exactly? Seems like strange terminology. You have truant officers like schools ~70 years ago?
charlie hebdostrange terminology.
charlie hebdolike schools ~70 years ago?
Well, why not? Trains often arrive at their terminals tardy. And Amtrak trains, once they miss their "slot" are frequently assigned detentions by the dispatcher...you know, they can go only after all the other kids (trains) have gone on first.
"Over-reaction"? Could it be used to mask declining ridership for other reasons? Why just non-stops???
https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/railroads/486436-amtrak-to-suspend-nonstop-acela-trains-between-dc-ny-amid?amp&fbclid=IwAR3UPhR3wS2TkZoWX5WaOBuAktzn2DhwPtNEqcYNCUArUSw_xXlH5_LgzIA
charlie hebdo "Attendance policies" refers to what exactly? Seems like strange terminology. You have truant officers like schools ~70 years ago?
The railroad expecting their employees to come to work every single day of the year, and to never, ever book sick.
For the past few years CN had a "Attendance Management" group, separate from the normal crew office. It was eliminated a few months ago due to budget cuts.
Despite the budget cuts, we still have a surprising number of supervisors whose entire job consists of conducting employee investigations, many of which are about the employee missing work.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
zugmann Overmod Now I find a story (which I reached from the Holland iLINT coverage) that ongoing 'coronavirus problems' will be an excuse to hold up PTC adoption past the December 2020 deadline. Wanna bet how much objective 'science' factors into that when the time comes? Yet not enough to suspend these completely rediculous and draconian attendance policies* that were shoved down our throats. *policies that were not agreed to in any contract, I might add.
Overmod Now I find a story (which I reached from the Holland iLINT coverage) that ongoing 'coronavirus problems' will be an excuse to hold up PTC adoption past the December 2020 deadline. Wanna bet how much objective 'science' factors into that when the time comes?
Policies which for the most part are in direct conflict with contracts that have been negotiated.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
The sheer numbers suggest to me that the risks we are hearing are over hyped. 3,000 deaths in China out of a total population of 1.3 billion is pretty slim. We clearly face much more danger from risks we face every day without giving it a second thought.
But at the same time, I am reluctant to underestimate the risk either. Better to err on the side of caution.
I do wish that people in general would stop exercising their right to free travel fo a while, no need to give this virus a boost by mixing up the distribution. I'd be totally cool with travel restrictions regarding high incidence areas.
We won't have the guts to do that sort of thing, I suspect. You'd hear all the airlines whining about the money they are losing and look to the govt for redress.
Convicted One I'd be totally cool with travel restrictions regarding high incidence areas.
From what I've read, it's too late for that.
And good luck closing the Ohio Turnpike (after the horse has already left the barn).
Brings to mind Al Jolson's famous saying or quote.
I don't get why that train is the first cancellation. It has the fewest people getting on and off on the whole NEC.
Now, I take it the reason is not disease prevention per se, but lack of demand due to disease fears. But why? It seems like that train would be the most popular for DC-NYC travelers, albeit probably the priciest. But I would think that people who could afford it last month could afford it now. Why wouldn't they?
And it seems like with airplanes being more densely packed than trains, it would seem that non-stop Acela demand would be up.
???
NKP guy From what I've read, it's too late for that.
Perhaps, but I would feel more secure limiting the 'boogeyman' to a 22 cal bolt action than a Mossberg 590M
Zug, does your company have the ability to include lesser holidays (Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween, etc) and other non-holiday days (Superbowl, day after Thanksgiving, etc) under the heading as 'peak days?'
Here's ours, took effect March 1.
https://www.bletstlhub.org/files/TE%26Y%20Attendance%20Policy%20V10.pdf
Even if you have a doctor's excuse, they do not have to accept it. They can still terminate someone over attendence even if you have valid documentation for the absence.
Jeff
As a shareholder, I am not happy with this arbitrary type of personnel treatment. Makes me remember the old line, "The BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE MORAL IMPROVES." What ever happened to finding the problems that are causing the issues and finding a consensus of how to cure it rather than dictating draconian "FIXes"
Convicted One NKP guy From what I've read, it's too late for that. Perhaps, but I would feel more secure limiting the 'boogeyman' to a 22 cal bolt action than a Mossberg 590M
The man's speaking my language! Ah, the sweet smell of Hoppe's Number 9...
Well, the New York subway system appears to be making a good effort. Not sure if this is PR or sincere pre-emptive attention, but it can't hurt either way.
Glad I do not have to ride a crowded commuter service right now.
CNN Story
Lithonia Operator I don't get why that train is the first cancellation. It has the fewest people getting on and off on the whole NEC. Now, I take it the reason is not disease prevention per se, but lack of demand due to disease fears. But why? It seems like that train would be the most popular for DC-NYC travelers, albeit probably the priciest. But I would think that people who could afford it last month could afford it now. Why wouldn't they? And it seems like with airplanes being more densely packed than trains, it would seem that non-stop Acela demand would be up. ???
Boardings down. Maybe the extra fare?
charlie hebdoBoardings down. Maybe the extra fare?
If I remember correctly, the 'nonstop' trains are always the first to start showing boarding reductions when there is some falloff in patronization. In part this is because only the people going directly between New York and Washington who value (or want to pay for) the higher speed will patronize that trainset ... and it is economically infeasible to configure or operate the logical smaller-capacity version of any high-speed platform (but particularly the Acelas, both I and II as currently made) that represents the size needed for the actual traffic.
This in conjunction with the actual, meaningful speed gain represented by the 'nonstop' over a comparable Acela service making more stops and serving greater 'cohorts' of potential riders -- state officials from Delaware, for example -- which no longer has the 'halo effect' of Acela-level service distinct from even the 'best' regionals that we have so often discussed and argued over. Meanwhile, demand for the expresses is limited solely to the very restricted window of time represented by their scheduling -- travel at any other time might as well be to the Moon as far as nonstop service provides. That's a very small amount of a comparatively limited traffic for a whole train using a whole lot of power.
I don't see anything aside from rational response to (temporarily) falling demand in this cancellation. It would be nice to see actual cost vs. "profitability" numbers going forward, but I suspect there are very, very few people riding the 'expresses' who will switch to other modes, or limit their travel, simply because they now have to ride the regular Acela train service...
Israel Railways is applying disinfectant to all surfaces in rolling stock and stations on a regular basis. Service has been reduced somewhat but it still regular enough to be useful. All arriving from certain countries at Ben Gurion Airport must undergo quaranteen two weeks and be tested for the virus.
The following is an English Language communication from Health Ministry:
"Home Quarantine"?...is that a supervised and enforced sort of thing, or is that based upon some form of honor system?
Basically an honor system.
Too bad our government wants to pretend there is no problem.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.