New York MTA to distribute 75,000 masks to workers; Chairman Pat Foye tests positive for the virus

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye tested positive for COVID-19 a day after the authority, in partnership with state health authorities, said it secured 75,000 masks for employees.

New York State has become the epicenter of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the United States with more than 5,400 confirmed cases in New York County and more than 52,300 confirmed cases in the state. The New York Daily News reports 156 MTA employees have tested positive for COVID-19; the agency currently has a workforce of approximately 74,000. The data was current as of Thursday, March 26, and Foye’s test results were made public on Saturday, March 28. Two MTA employees, Peter Petrassi, a subway conductor and Oliver Cyrus, a bus operator, both died last week after testing positive for COVID-19. A third, Scott Elijah, a track worker, died over the weekend.

MTA says Foye is isolating at home and maintaining a full schedule.

“Pat was last in the office on Wednesday, maintained safe social distance and was asymptomatic at that time. He worked remotely Thursday and Friday, following a previously arranged schedule,” said the MTA.

The authority also noted all staff have been observing recommendations by the state department of health, including social distancing.

“Pat’s top priority remains the health and safety of our customers and employees and ensuring New York’s healthcare workers, first responders and other essential personnel can get to and from work during this public health crisis,” said the MTA.  

On Friday, MTA announced it will distribute 75,000 masks to New York City Transit, MTA Bus, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad employees. The authority said the supplies are anticipated to be replenished weekly and while medical guidance continues to be that masks are not recommended as protection against COVID-19, the masks will be made available to employees who choose to wear them.

Certain positions and duties within the agency require personal protective equipment and MTA will continue to provide these. For other employees, MTA says this equipment will be distributed to employees as it is made available and in accordance with the plans to be developed by the agencies, as there is a nationwide shortage of masks.

“We’ve been working very hard to try and secure masks for transit workers during what has been widely reported as a global shortage of supplies,” said Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano. “This has been a very traumatic time for my members and I hope these masks will give them some peace of mind as they continue providing essential bus and subway service to New York, especially for our nurses, EMS personnel, firefighters and police.”

Over the past few weeks, the MTA has implemented rear-door boarding to protect bus operators and limited cash transactions at subway station booths to protect station agents. Last week, MTA launched NY Essential Service Plans on all subway, bus and commuter rail. MTA notes modified schedules provide critical flexibility in scheduling that allows for a reduction in needed crews.

The MTA continues to direct employees who feel sick to stay home and says it is using extreme caution in ensuring that workers who came into close contact with potential cases self-quarantine, while immediately disinfecting their workspaces.