It's getting to that time of year again. Leaves will start to fall, and you may hurt your back. Chilly nights and open windows lead to sniffles. Have you noticed that riders are sick and coughing a lot? I know I sure have. So I decided to look into the issue of what looks to be growing risk for illness among transit workers. The Joe Hill Medical Research Unit contacted the CDC to get the low down of the current risks for Transit Workers. It is amazing what you can learn by relying on informed professionals. You all know that is what LTD is doing. The Joe Hill LTD Project can do no less. Here is the report of the Joe Hill Medical Research Unit. There is a new risk, and this is what they found:
(not the one you are familiar with)
LUNG TRANSIT DISEASE (LTD) - It had been identified that the Eugene Springfield Area and parts of the surrounding area in Oregon are at High Risk for an outbreak of Lung Transit Disease (LTD). The Center for Lung Origin Diseases (CLOD) and their recent study, has predicted that the highest likelihood is for an outbreak to start around mid to the latter third of the month of September. LTD is a debilitating disease that occurs as a result of stress associated with Transit Occupations (bus operators, mechanics, cleaners and others who regularly come into contact with bus equipment).
The primary vectors for transmission of this disease are: Contact with Joe Hill emails, contact with any level of supervision at the work place, and rude and unreasonable "guests." This is an airborne disease that vectors through the lungs and pulmonary system. The disease symptoms are variable, depending upon exposure and level of existing stress being experienced by a transit employee. The leading symptoms are: Shaking, fever and lower back pain, even to the buttock muscles. In severe cases - diarrhea, cramping, a flushed and reddish complexion, with unusual coughing sequences, can occur as well. In extreme cases, angina related tachycardia can occur, and unusual tearing, with depression.
Prevention: Fair and just working conditions seem to be the leading method of disease prevention. Due to the onset of depression in many cases, a lack of trust develops, but can be remedied with a fair contract. Without fair and just working conditions, the disease is likely to incubate and spread rapidly, as it can be highly contagious. Being airborne, even speaking to another transit worker can transmit this disease.
Treatment: Bed rest for a minimum of two work days, or a single day in conjunction with a weekend, will relieve most of the symptoms. Some double blind studies have shown whiskey and aspirin taken four hours apart seem to ease symptoms. Those taking placebos were not fooled, so the study has been highly questioned, but the resulting relief from the control group is undisputed. However, this is not a cure and the symptoms and illness can recur several times in the fall season. The only cure is the relieving of tension, stress and pressure by implementing a fair and just workplace, or in the alternative, a contract securing some degree of these factors.
Alert: Transit Workers should be aware that September 24-27 is predicted to be the highest risk date for the affliction. Primary Care doctors and facilities have been notified as well as local spirits vendors.
The Joe Hill LTD Project felt obligated to provide this message to fellow transit workers. This is a disease that is simply awful and can show itself in so many ways. Tragic, isn't it? This disease seems to defy the old saying that an "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." LTD (the disease) seems to suggest that "a fifth of cure is better than and ounce of prevention."
Submitted in Solidarity,
Joe Hill
JH 49
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