There are many advantages to carpooling. It is convenient; it saves on gas, it is better for the environment, and it gives you company for the ride. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, carpooling also carries a big risk.
Carpooling is a risk
With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing, this is not the best time to expand your exposure by driving other people in your car and if the number of people in your carpool is large, you are taking on an even bigger risk. Additionally, if one carpool member becomes symptomatic, COVID positive or exposed, your entire carpool will be required to quarantine as carpool rides are close-contact exposure environments.
In the month of December alone, the COVID Response Team has required the quarantine of multiple carpool groups due to exposures.
Ways to reduce your risk while carpooling
- If possible, only carpool with those in your household or those who you already have close contact with. Consider making your carpool peeps your bubble and do not interact with anyone else outside of work.
- Require everyone in the car wear a mask at all times.
- Do NOT remove masks to eat or drink.
- Lowering all four windows creates the best air circulation in the car’s cabin. Too cold and wet? Lower all four windows just a couple of inches open for the duration of the ride to circulate the air. A ten-second full open twice during the ride is better than all closed all the time.
- Carpool with the same group consistently do not take-on new riders even occasionally.
- Do not pack the car full with people — the fewer the better.
- Spread out as much as possible. Do you have a third row? If so, use it! Are there only two of you in the car? The passenger should ride in the back seat on the passenger side.
- Keep a log of who rode on which days, so you can give accurate info to the COVID Response Team in case of a possible exposure.