Image by WMATA.

Covid-cautious transit riders may breathe a sigh of relief this week, as WMATA shares this image to show how its ventilation system works to keep airflow moving on Metro rail cars.

If you’ve been coy about returning to Metro because you’re not sure about COVID risk, don’t feel bad. But the science is clear that transit is as safe — often safer — than many indoor environments, especially when everyone’s wearing masks.

That’s because they often have better ventilation systems; people spend less time on transit than they do in, say, offices, restaurants, gyms, or bars; and riders talk to each other less than people gathering for professional or social reasons. When everyone wears a mask, it lessens the risk considerably (vaccinations are the best protection of all). And unlike many of those indoor settings, masks are still required on transit, leading many a rider to a joyous return.

Riders responded positively on social media.

Of course, people’s perceptions of risk don’t always line up with risk realities (ask me, recovering public health practitioner). But as numbers of new cases go down and vaccinations go up, it’s as important as ever to get the facts about where the risks lie. Images like this will help riders feel comfortable blowing the cobwebs off those SmarTrip cards and getting back on the train.

Now do buses WMATA!

Caitlin Rogger is deputy executive director at Greater Greater Washington. Broadly interested in structural determinants of social, economic, and political outcomes in urban settings, she worked in public health prior to joining GGWash. She lives in Capitol Hill.