Cars are Miles Better Than Public Transit During a Global Pandemic

Aug 19, 2020 10:58 AM EDT | Staff Reporter

Cars are Miles Better Than Public Transit During a Global Pandemic


(Photo : Cars are Miles Better Than Public Transit During a Global Pandemic )

Urban mobility is undergoing significant changes during the global pandemic. People from all corners of the globe continue to face severe health and financial concerns and, so as to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, transportation has been somewhat restricted.

Even if some of the coronavirus restrictions have eased, navigating public transport isn't exactly easy. Public transit systems, which are important for the functioning of big cities because they transport workers to jobs, but they are crowded and there is the risk of virus transmission. To be more precise, they are highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks like the global coronavirus. 

Social distancing isn't compatible with public transit 

It's not safe to take the bus, train, or plain during the global pandemic. Larger crowds facilitate the transmission of the coronavirus, which spreads when an infected person sneezes, coughs or exhales small droplets containing the deadly new virus. Let's not forget about the limited ventilation that can lead to infection among passengers, increasing the concentration of airborne contaminants. Cleaning a transportation vehicle at a maintenance yard overnight mightn't do much in terms of helping passengers or drivers stay safe. So, stepping up the cleaning efforts mayn't reduce infection. A good solution would be to fi8ll public transport systems at no more than 50% capacity. 

If your office isn't shutting down, catching public transport isn't such a good idea. It's necessary to find another solution to get to and from work. The longer you're exposed to other people, the higher risk of contracting COVID-19 is. Even if the bus, train, or plain has a good ventilation system, you're still required to sit next to a stranger within talking distance, which doesn't leave enough time for the ventilation system to do its job. Limiting the number of commuters is possible, but attention needs to be paid to the fact that it will be impossible to do that on commuter lines. 

According to the CDC, those who need to travel should use their personal vehicles 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the best way to protect yourself and others from getting ill is to stay at home. The health experts insist on the fact that travel considerably increases the chances of getting and spreading the novel coronavirus. Bus stations, airports, train stations, and rest stops are dangerous places because people are exposed to COVID-19 in the air and on surfaces. If it's necessary to travel away from the local community, it's best to use your personal vehicle. The CDC recommends bringing along a face cloth covering, packing sufficient alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and avoiding making too many stops along the way. 

In the opinion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, employees who regularly commute on public transportation should be granted incentives to use means of transportation that minimize close contact with others. This basically means guaranteeing reimbursement for parking fees and so on. If there were fewer employees in the office, it would be possible to minimize potential contact vectors. Many organizations manage alternative work arrangements in the sense that they alternate work duties. The coronavirus pandemic has had a great impact on work and life, so immediate action needs to be taken to get things done. Getting back on topic, private cars are a good way to maintain social distance outside of the office setting. 

What is car shopping like during the global pandemic? 

Automobile sales continue to rise and the demand is higher than expected since states started to reopen. Dealerships don't have to worry about the effect of the novel coronavirus. The shopping experience may have suffered some modifications as all sales are carried out online, yet people are still interested in buying cars. If vehicle ownership rates fell significantly over the past couple of years, now, it's a completely different story. Young people, as well as urbanites, are afraid to take public transit or resort to ride-sharing and, consequently, invest in private vehicles. If you don't already have a car, you should hurry up and buy one. 

The inventory for new cars may be low, yet the used car market hasn't suffered any changes. You can get a great deal for a new set of wheels. If sports cars aren't your cup of tea, there is no reason to worry because auto dealers have promotions on models of all types. For instance, you can get your hands on a Lincoln SUV. It has a strong engine that gives it an enviable position among its class, not to mention the advanced technology. The "Phone as a Key" capability is included in the car. Reach out to a Lincoln SUV dealer and they will help you choose a great model, which follows up with a great price.  

If you're buying a vehicle online, make sure you get a good deal. Anyone should try to negotiate when acquiring a vehicle. Inquire about discounts, lower interest rates, free accessories, and so on. it's important to get a good idea of the features that suit your needs. Don't get excited about a lower specification because it's more affordable. You should strive to get the model you're interested in at a discount. Last but not least, pay close attention to financing offers. Take the time to compare financial offers. The interest rates affect your monthly payment and the total amount you end up paying. 

Be proactive - in other words, think ahead of anticipated events. If you have a pretty good idea about what you want and you're able to find a dealer that offers the car you want at a competitive price, don't waste time. It's in your best interest to close the deal and go home with the SUV. A cheaper offer may never come, so it could be argued that time is of the essence. Yet again, pay close attention to the specific features you need, financing limitations, and the main uses of the vehicle. Test drive the automobile before you sign the papers, if possible. You don't want to make an emotional purchase. 

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