COVID-19 Update: Metro Service, Grocery Shopping, Be Careful What You Flush

Hi Everybody.

Here is an update on new guidelines for Metro Service:

After consultation with Public Health, Madison Metro determined that several steps should be taken to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19 and increase the ability for riders and employees to follow social distancing guidelines.  

• Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, capacity on Metro Transit buses were limited to 15 passengers plus the driver.
• We ask that Metro Transit be used only for essential trips such as travel to employment, medical appointments, grocery stores, etc.
• Please use alternative forms of transportation if they are available to you. 
• Exit the bus through the rear doors. 
• Other than brief periods during boarding, you should maintain a distance of 6 feet from the driver and your fellow passengers.
• It is particularly important for riders who are at a high risk of severe illness, including paratransit riders, to avoid public transit. High risk individuals include: People 60 years or older; People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes; People who have a weakened immune system; Women who are pregnant.

After careful consideration, Metro Transit will be reducing service and following Saturday schedules all seven days of the week beginning on Monday, March 23.

In addition, we will continue to provide regular weekday (Monday – Friday) commuter service to Verona/Epic (55 & 75), Fitchburg (44, 48 & 49), Sun Prairie (23) and Middleton (72). The University of Wisconsin Campus routes are exempt and will operate regular stand weekday service Monday through Friday and standard weekend service on Saturday and Sundays.

This modified service will continue until such time the City begins to return to a more normal function.

Paratransit service will remain unchanged; however, we strongly encourage paratransit riders who are at high risk of severe illness to protect themselves and stay home if possible.  

We will also be selectively increasing the number of buses on routes with high ridership in order to meet the demand while still maintaining the maximum capacity of 15 riders per bus.

Shopping Protocol

A friend of mine who lives in Brooklyn posted the shopping protocol for his food coop on Instagram. Some variation of this needs to take place at every grocery store in Madison; I've modified the list slightly:

ENTERING

• Use hand sanitizer at entrance before entering. Wash hands thoroughly before leaving your home to shop. Practice vigilant hygiene by not touching your face.
• Take a santized wipe from entrance to use on handle and surfaces of your cart or baskets. If no wipes are present, wear gloves.  
• Do not bring your own bags as these may be unknowingly contaminated with the virus.

SHOPPING

• Spread yourself out the shopping floor.  Be prepared to alter your typical shopping pattern.
• Please unload groceries onto the counter and step away from the checkout to protect yourself and the worker. Maintain six feet of distance at all times.
• Be kind and be modest. Shop for the next week or two, leaving items on the shelf for others.

RETURNING HOME

• As sensibly as possible, sanitize containers as you unpack.
• Recycle bags.
• Wash your hands thoroughly. Consider changing your clothes.

No Such Thing as a "Flushable" Wipe

The Engineering Division and Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District would like to remind the community that there is no such thing as a “flushable” wipe, even if the manufacturer has labeled it as such. Disinfectant disposable wipes, should not be flushed down the toilet. Instead, throw the wipes away after use. Many residents are using disinfectant disposable wipes to keep their homes clean in a time of COVID-19 home self-quarantine.

While many wipes indicate that they are “flushable,” and seem similar to toilet paper, they should not be flushed. These products do not break down in the sewer system and can cause blockages in your home’s sewer system and in the sanitary sewer system and at the wastewater treatment plant.
 
Items OK to flush:

Human waste
Toilet paper

Items NOT OK to flush:

Paper towels
Baby wipes
“flushable” wipes, including personal wipes and disinfecting wipes
Fats
Oils
Grease
Dental floss
Plastic wrappers
Bandages
Tampon applicators
Cat litter
Cat waste
Toys

The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District provides additional educational information about how to take care of your pipes. Visit the District’s website  for more resources.

That's all for now. Please share these posts with others in District 13, encouraging them to sign up for the updates.

Be safe. Be well. Be kind.

Tag