To open my window on the bus

[notknowledgeable]

It seems to be a mission for some people to fight to have all the windows on the bus closed, for all of every journey? Why? Before covid this wasn't an issue - now it seems people have a point to make.

I get there can be a chilly draught, but just put your coat on, or put your hood up?

I am immunocompromised, and wear a mask and open the window on my way to and from work. Every single time I get ill, ( currently a couple of times a month) my classes are left with non specialist agency staff. I take all the precautions I reasonably can to keep from catching anything, but this constant battle on the bus every working day is really wearing my down.

Surely the bus is well ventilated anyway due to the doors opening every couple of minutes all day?

I would never have the nerve to open or shut a window in a public space with other people, not without asking first, which I also wouldn’t do.

I get there can be a chilly draught, but just put your coat on, or put your hood up?

Because it's the inside and people expect it to be warmer than the outside. Why don't you take your coat/jumper off? Being in distraught inside feels worse/colder than being outside.

Move to another part of the bus if the window was already shut when you sat down.

Your preferences don't tip anyone else's.

My niece is immunocompromised, and it is a bitch (as she drives to work being on a bus is not an potential cause for her catching viruses). It is not only immunocompromised teachers who have issues, her workplace has been supportive up until now, but after her latest hospitalisation this month they are now asking if her job working with people is really compatible for her health condition. She has no idea what other type of work she can do, or if they can dismiss her for frequent absences (she is registered disabled now for her health condition).

We take precautions if with her, she takes as many sensible precautions she can, but she accepts the world is a big virus laden place and it cannot be sanitised or adjusted, negatively impacting others, just for her.

If you are wearing a proper mask, should block any viruses making the open window redundant?

Also, opening the window is the waste of heating - which is on for a reason

Really?

What about people with seasonal allergies or hayfever?
People with health/respiratory conditions who struggle to breathe in cold air?
People with arthritis or other joint issues?
People with MS or anaemia or any other number of conditions made worse by cold weather and air?

Because my bus goes down the A1 as fast as its little wheels will carry it which means it's not just a draft but a blast of ice cold/wet air right in my face. I'm not being sat for an hour like that. Even with a coat and a hood, it's horrendous and painful. Bloody torturous at times when it's wet as well.

You're not more important than everyone else because you're a teacher btw.

This.

And some people feel the cold more than others. If you like fresh air and being outside so much, ride a bike.

If I am on a bus it’s to get away from the elements and cold, so close the bloody windows.

You sound like an entitled pita, OP.

You are not more important than anyone else on the bus.

This is really unfair on your students.

They are probably relieved when you are off and they get the supply teacher you disparage so much.

such as what?

how would taking my coat off protect me from pathogens??? It wont

I listed a load of them up-thread.

Any supply teacher will also have all windows open, as it is school policy for all staff

Nothing genuine there, nothing that is going to leave students without teachers

I have a child in school, and to be honest, whilst I'm really sorry you are immunocomromised and I really don't know what the answer is, I'd prefer it if SHE wasn't off sick because she's been forced to sit in a classroom with open windows because the teacher decided her health was more important than the children's health... Even if she was wearing a coat, her hands would be uncomfortably cold and it's really hard to write with cold hands!

I shut the window in front of me if it’s open on a bus, it blasts right in the person behind you’s face.

You don't need to make it other people's problem

Exactly this - opening a window makes my condition worse!

So you know everyone else's medical history and job, do you?

'course you don't. You're just being selfish and entitled.

Exactly this - kids are more likely to give you germs than a bus with a few people on

That's what I thought too - how can you teach and be so far away from the pupils?? And as a parent my children come from school absolutely freezing because of selfish teachers having the windows open in Winter causing my kids to be ill!

Yes, I'd be thinking that the job rather than the bus was the biggest factor in picking up germs.

As far as the bus itself is concerned, it's public transport so you alone don't get to decide on whether or not the windows are open. You're sharing the space with other people unfortunately.

i am amazed at the number of people who don’t mind breathing in so many people’s recycled air

OP I'm with you. This thread is an excellent illustration of a number of things.

The minimising by authorities has made people dismissive and uncaring about others' health. Oh you might get ill? Not my problem.

Research into aerosol transmission is essentially buried. Note all the comments you see everywhere about how masks don't work and opening a window won't help stop you catching anything.

The appreciation of keyworkers who did so much during lockdowns, also buried.

It's a barely acknowledged damage that I've noticed from COVID. The complete removal of any empathy from so much of the general public is so sad.