Health advisory from the MTA

This MTA poster caught my eye at the Parkside Station, though it's at the Prospect Park station as well:

FEELING UNDER THE WEATHER TODAY?
Best thing to do is not get on the train

"You may feel worse on the train. If you need help now, you can get it at the station. We'll make sure you're in the right hands, or stay with you until you're well enough to be on your way."

Yeah, as if I'm going to seek shelter from the person grunting at me from behind the bulletproof glass.

What struck me as funny is how the copy tries to make it sound as if refraining from riding the train is in the individual flu victim's benefit, when the real benefactors are everyone else on the train. Apparently,
social-consciousness is such a non-starter that even the lamest appeal to self-interest trumps a clear and obvious public interest message. But you'd think they could at least get a bit more creative. As in: "...the best thing to do is not get on the train. Because everyone else will get sick and hate you." 

Comments

[widget]

I saw this too, but actually interpreted it differently. I don't think it's so much a public health concern, but rather they just don't want you to pass out or get violently ill while the train is between stations, which makes it difficult to get help and causes delays.

[anna]

I always see this sign and get annoyed, too. If I'm sick, the last thing I want to do is take the subway--so if I'm on it, it's because I HAVE TO be. Also, I wonder who this sign is targeted to. The illnesses I've seen cause delays on the train are more of the vomiting and seizure variety, not so much flu/cold.

[nanou]

A few years ago when I was pregnant with my first born, while on the 4 train at Atlantic Avenue I started feeling ill. Never mind that I was about 7 months pregnant and no one offered me a seat. In any case I started getting hot, and lighthead and just before I blacked out I heard someone say 'oh no she's passing out the train is gonna go out of service'. When I came to, I was on the platform with my bag and the train was gone. I took the train back home and decided that I was finishing up my pregnancy at home. My husband jokes that at least no one took my purse!

[brn442]

I agree with the first post. I always interpreted it as meaning to discourage delays caused by sick passengers, compounded by being stuck between two stations where timely help may go begging.

You don't expect them to say "hey - don't get on the train if you even think you're sick cuz we'll be very annoyed if you screw up our schedule."