Transit and the CoronaVirus - Take Care of Yourself and Each Other

There is a lot of fear about the CoronaVirus with some authorities suggesting people avoid public spaces and telecommute when possible.

Well, for most of us we do not have that as an option for our work.  Nearly every working class job, nurse, teacher, electrician, plumber, etc., requires we show up in person.  For those of us who travel by transit, this will mean traveling by rail or bus in enclosed places with people we don't know for extended periods of time.

Here is my first suggestion.  DON'T PANIC.  Take all the normal precautions you would normally take with the flu  One precaution I will take is taking hand sanitizer and handiwipes with me and use them liberally.  As we know, we don't always get a seat on the bus or train, and if we have to hold onto a pole or rail or strap, that many other people we don't know have held, we should take care of ourselves.

If there is a pandemic, some people will go so far as to opt for gloves and masks.  These are easily obtainable at any Rite Aid or Target. Even if all these do is make you feel better, there is no harm in that.

Metro cannot stop germs and bacteria, of course.  But perhaps some signs advocating healthy habits are warranted.  We don't know how long this outbreak will last, but stay informed and take care.

The President's news conference today gave me absolutely no confidence.  He previously gutted the CDC and I do not trust one single thing that comes out of his mouth.  Not one word.  Furthermore, he designated Vice President Mike Pence of all people as the person to overseeing the Administration's response to the CoronaVirus.  I cannot think of a worse choice.  Mike Pence oversaw an outbreak of HIV/AIDS when he was Governor of Indiana because he prioritized his religious dogmas over medicine and science.

I am reminded of the outbreak of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980's.  At best the response of the Reagan Administration was indifferent.  At times it was outright hostile fear and loathing.  Too many people looked at the disproportionate number of gay men and HIV drug users who were dying of HIV/AIDS and saw the disease as "killing at the right people".  It took a lot of hard work by groups such as ACT UP just to get HIV/AIDS treated as a public health issue and not a moral one.  I see none of that with the CoronaVirus.  I expect the public response will be robust and compassionate, although of course there will be fearful responses with any epidemic if it comes to that.

One thing from that era that the gay community learned in the 1980's is that we had to take care of ourselves.  But let's do more than that.  Let's take care of each other too.  If we see someone who has to grab a rail, or strap, or pole on a train or bus, and your have some hand sanitizer or a handiwipe, offer it to them.  Instead of fear, let's show love and compassion to each other. 

But don't panic.

How to De-Car

I get asked all the time, "How do you get around or survive in Southern California" without a car?

- "Well, I hop on my broom...."

It is a fair question to someone who has never lived in New York, Chicago, London, Seattle, San Francisco or other metropolitan city, and has only experienced living in a "car culture" community.  So let me tell you the steps to consider if you want to de-car or at least significantly reduce your driving.

(1)  Where do I work?

Start with where you currently work.  Most of the employment I've had has been in workplaces where I showed up to the same location everyday.  I would then go to Metro.net and look at the transit map to see if I can get to my workplace from home by one, no more than two, trips on rail or bus.  Google Maps offers driving directions, but it also offers great transit, cycling, and walking directions on the same app.  NextBus is my preferred app for real time bus arrival information.  I always try to aim to arrive to work early to give myself a cushion of time with traffic.  (We need bus lanes!)  For some people this may mean moving.  However, Metro bus and rail covers most of the County and bicycles go almost anywhere.

(2)  Where do I live?

I choose to live in a walkable neighborhood.  People say, "But Dan, everything you need is only a ten minute walk from you."  Yes, that is a choice.  Everything I need is only a ten minute walk or one transit ride away.  This is a choice I make.  I choose to live in a place that is one or two transit rides away from my workplace AND a ten minute or one bus ride away from everything I need.  I live in West Hollywood, the most walkable city in Southern California and I love it.

(3)  Shopping and laundry?

"What do you do without a trunk?" I get asked.  Fair question.  I learned this living in Manhattan.  I purchase a sturdy and reliable cart from a hardware store as seen here -- which can also be found at Target -- and use it for laundry trips and bigger shopping runs. 

I need to replace the cart every few years.  Much cheaper than replacing an auto in the same period.

(4)  What about identification?

I maintain a driver's license.  I can drive in an emergency.  I just hate driving.  I prefer to use my commuting time reading, listening to enjoyable podcasts, or learning a new language with Duolingo.  Transit has made me smarter.

(5)  Uber / Lyft / Taxi

Honestly, I am personally not a purist.  A couple of times a week I will use an Uber / Lyft / Taxi.  It is still much cheaper than owning, operating, maintaining, fueling, insuring, and parking my own car -- and I'm helping someone else pay their light bill.  If it is not in the budget, I make do without.

That is pretty much it.  It's not a mystery.  Millions of Southern Californians make it work without a car.  There are just some people and a "culture" out here that sometime act as if we are an underclass of some sort.  We end that today.

Introduction - Why "Car Free in L.A."?

This blog is for anyone who lives in Southern California who does not own a car.... or who dreams of releasing the "need" to own one.  It is also for anyone who simply wants to reduce their carbon footprint or stress by driving less. 

We make no judgments about why one doesn't own a car.  Perhaps you are unable to drive for whatever reason.  Your economic circumstances may make owning your own car cost prohibitive.  You may care deeply about climate change and want to make a personal difference by changing your mode of basic transportation.  Perhaps your housing has only one parking space and your spouse or partner needs it, so you need to learn how to get around without a car.  Perhaps you even drive for a living and in your off hours the last thing you want to do is be behind the wheel.  None of that matters to us.

What we say is that if you get around by transit or bicycle or by foot, you are entitled to as much respect and social status in Southern California as someone who drives a Jaguar or a Maserati or Rolls Royce.  There is no shame in using another form of mobility. 

We reject the whole "car culture" belief that "you need to have a car" to live a high quality life in Southern California.  Or, "surely you'll get a car as soon as you can afford one, won't you?" as if there is something wrong with you if you don't have one.

We are not anti-car though. In metropolitan areas all over the world with dynamic mass transit systems and robust cycling infrastructure there are still millions of cars.  I use Uber, Lyft, and taxi services when needed.  In fact, if you own a car, or even love your car and love driving it, you should support this blog and its corresponding podcast, because the more people who do not own their own car and reduce their driving, the more road space and less traffic there is for you.  No one says you need to become car free yourself.

However, if you want to become more car free or more carefree about not depending on your car for all your mobility, this blog is for you.

There is also a corresponding podcast "Car Free in L.A." available on most platforms.  Feel free to follow me on Twitter @danwentzel if you feel so inclined.

Wishing you all great car(e) free mobility.