HOW A TAXI DRIVER CAN PROTECT HIMSELF FROM CATCHING THE FLU FROM A SICK PASSENGER

1.0 HOW A TAXI DRIVER CAN PROTECT HIMSELF FROM CATCHING THE FLU FROM A SICK PASSENGER - INTRODUCTION

In this blog posting, we are going to answer the question of "how a Taxi Driver can protect himself from catching the flu from a sick passenger" (or even worse illnesses) from the passengers that they come in contact with.

Throughout much of the U.S., being a Taxi Driver means that you are in business for yourself.

In many cases, you will need to lease a Taxi Car (from a "Taxi Car" company for a 12 Hour Period).

You are also responsible for the cost of gasoline that you have to purchase as well.

Finally, you (as the "Taxi Business person") are responsible for the "Profit and Loss" of your business.

All of this has the following implications.

a. To make some decent income in your Taxi Driving Business, you need to be prepared to drive (or work) for "12 Hour Shifts" (e.g., the length of your "Taxi Car Lease" period).

b. The first part of your "12 Hour" Shift must be dedicated to paying for your costs (e.g., the lease, the cost of gasoline, etc.), and the second part of your "12 Hour" Shift must be devoted to making a profit.

All of this means that you (as the Taxi Driver) will need to be healthy and have the stamina to handle the 12 Hours Shift of picking up passengers and driving through your city while transporting them to their destination.

You are also going to need to have a "6th Sense" as to what kind of "passengers" could pose a physical danger to you; and you should avoid doing business with.

Finally, as you do pick up and transport passengers, you are going to be exposed to many of the different flu viruses that they may have. This poses an additional challenge for the Taxi Driver.

In order to have a profitable career as a Taxi Driver, it is important that you are healthy (e.g., physically capable of driving for 12 hours at a time) and yet not sick with the flu (which could sideline your Taxi Driving Business for days at a time).

2.0 HOW A TAXI DRIVER CAN PROTECT HIMSELF FROM CATCHING THE FLU FROM A SICK PASSENGER - WHAT ARE THE DANGERS?

In addition to the possibilities of catching the flu, if you routinely service airport passengers (especially in large International Airport Cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco or Dallas/Fort Worth) you run the risk of transporting passengers that are sick with other types of very infectious viruses.

One only needs to think back just a few years ago when SARs are making bid news and there was a lot of concern about air-travelers coming into the U.S. from Asia.

As mentioned earlier, in addition to all of the other hazards that exists for Taxi Drivers (e.g., being exposed to violent passengers, traffic accidents, etc.); picking up ill passengers, being exposed and catching their illnesses is a constant threat to both your health and your income.

If you are not already doing so, you (as a Taxi Driver) should be wondering "how a taxi driver can protect himself from catching the flu from a sick passenger".

Whenever you do pick up a passenger (that is ill with the flu) you need to be aware of the following facts:

FACT # 1: You run the risk of catching their flu virus anytime they cough or sneeze.

Whenever this happens, your passenger is transmitting a large number of particles and "microbes" in the air (that can either be inhailed by you, or will ultimately make it to your eyes or nose - If you rub your eyes or touch your nose some time later).

FACT # 2: Any surface that you passenger touches (inside your vehicle) will contain some of their flu virus for an extended period of time.

Research indicates that many of these flu viruses can survive on many different surfaces (in the open air) for up to 12 hours.

This is plenty of time/opportunity for you to touch these same surfaces (at a later) and get exposed to this flu virus.

3.0 HOW A TAXI DRIVER CAN PROTECT HIMSELF FROM CATCHING THE FLU FROM A SICK PASSENGER - WHAT ARE SOME BASIC THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO AVOID CATCHING THE FLU FROM YOUR PASSENGERS?

Unless you have the amazing ability to quickly glance at and identify ill passengers (just from their appearance) and avoiding them, you are going to need to find ways to protect yourself and prevent yourself from catching the flu from your passengers.

Here is how a Taxi Driver can protect himself from catching the flu from a sick passenger.

1. Always have a container of anti-bacterial/disinfecting soap or lotion with you, and apply this product to your hands frequently throughout your shift.

2. Avoid touching your nose and your eyes (with your hands) until you've applied the "disinfecting solution" to your hands.

3. Avoid excessive drinking or smoking during your times off, these activities tend to lower your immune system.

4. Make sure to wipe down all of the surfaces (inside your car) with some disinfecting solution BEFORE you start your 12 Hour shift. This will sanitize your vehicle from the previous Taxi Driver and his/her passengers.

5. Find ways to enhance your immune system (e.g., eating plenty of fruits, getting your Recommended Daily Allowance of Vitamin C). Some people recommend the use of a product called "Airborne" (which you can purchase at any drug store or supermarket).

NOTE: I am not selling nor representing the product "Airborne" in any manner.

4.0 HOW A TAXI DRIVER CAN PROTECT HIMSELF FROM CATCHING THE FLU FROM A SICK PASSENGER - A WISH-LIST FOR AN IDEAL SOLUTION?

The solutions mentioned above are very effective in how a Taxi Driver can protect himself from catching the flu from a sick passenger, if applied consistently.

However, they are not fool-proof.

We tend to forget to disinfect our hands before touching our nose or rubbing our eyes (especially late in the "12 Hour Shift").

Illnesses can sometimes be contracted by airborne particles (whenever an ill passenger coughs or sneezes).

We sometimes forget to wipe-down and disinfect the surfaces inside the car.

If cost were no object, what sort of "system" would you like to have (to protect you from exposure to the flu and other pathogens)?

Would the ultimate solution to "how a Taxi Driver can protect himself from catching the flu from a sick passenger" have some of the following features.

It would continously disinfect all of the surfaces, within your car all of the time (without you having to remember to do anything).

It would also generate and pass "purification products" through the ventilation system (of the car) and kill any viruses and bacteria that may be lirking in that location.

It would continuously disinfect the air inside the car, even with a sick person coughing or sneezing inside your car.

This solution would automatically disinfect any surface that any ill passenger will have touched (while in your car) after they have gotten out of your vehicle.

This solution would kill all viruses and bacteria (inside of your car) and would be 100% safe for human beings and animals.

Does this sound like the ideal (almost fool proof solution) to the question of houw a Taxi Driver can protect himself from catching the flu from a sick passenger?

If so, then click here to learn more about such as solution.