Essential worker here.
I made my regular 11:30 p.m. boat from Manhattan. No restrooms, which has been the case for a week. I figured when I got off I would use the restroom in the St. George Terminal passenger waiting area. Guess what? Closed! I asked, and was told it was because of the coronavirus.
What nonsense. My journey is typical: Two hours from my desk to my kitchen table. It is a JOURNEY. Restrooms MUST be made available.
DOT needs to post a staff person at the door, who has been given detailed instruction and the safety lecture. Have a waiting line outside with taped X’s marking the 6-foot separation. Limit the number inside and supervise, supervise, supervise.
They have the staff – those not working the regular boats and management “working from home.” Everybody should be on 12-hour shifts and be available for work any time day or night on the boats and in the terminals, and that includes all management.
Take care of the essential workers who are taking care of everything else.
(John Rooney is a Richmond resident.)
