More than 40 MTA workers have died after contracting COVID-19, and more than a thousand are quarantined in their homes. But trains and buses are still running and must be disinfected.
That's where Charles Quinn, a third generation railroader, who's worked for the Long Island Railroad for the past 18 years, comes in. He's a cleaner which means every day he spends eight hours wiping handrails, touch points, locks, doors and bathroom handles, elevator buttons and escalators.
Each station is cleaned twice, every 24 hours.
“It’s scary, go to work, think you’re going to bring it home,' he said. "Even though you got all the proper PPE and supplies you’re cleaning with, you still go the possibility you’re bringing it.”
Not a single Long Island Railroad worker has died from the cornonavirus. More than 100 have tested positive.