How New York City Subways Prevent Viral Spread, Illustrated

Former public transit riders wary of returning to New York subways might cite uncertainty about safety conditions and community spread as a reason for avoiding the popular form of transportation. Doing their part to arm the public with information, Mika Gröndahl, Christina Goldbaum, and Jeremy White published a New York Times article complete with in-depth information about the possibility of spread on New York City subways complete with helpful animations. Now subway riders can understand the risks, safety measures, and interventions for preventing community spread when riding the subway.

"Many New Yorkers are avoiding the subway, fearful of jostling with strangers in crowded cars. Masks and social distancing are essential, but good air flow is also key to reducing the risk of exposure to the coronavirus," write Gröndahl, Goldbaum, and White. 

In one animation, a side-by-side comparison simulates the spread of droplets from someone sneezing with and without a mask, showing the efficacy of mask wearing in public spaces for reducing viral spread. "Public health experts say that the high air exchange rate and widespread mask usage on the city’s subways sharply reduces the chances of a so-called superspreader event on trains," say Gröndahl, Goldbaum, and White. 

The team notes that only 2% of the 5.5 million weekday New York City subway riders currently occupy trains. Public health experts say that if pre-pandemic occupancy levels were suddenly reached, even with masks, the efficacy of the ventilation system would be greatly reduced.