UK coronavirus: NHS nurse slams ‘dangerous’ Tube as Londoners STILL cram onto carriages in second week of chaos – The Sun
AN NHS nurse has slammed the "dangerous" Tube as Londoners continue to cram onto carriages for a second week.
Pictures from this morning show the Underground is still packed with key workers while platforms are swarmed with people during rush hour.
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ICU nurse Edie Sousa took to Twitter to vent her frustration, writing: "Tube still very busy! Impossible to keep 2m away.
"Concerned as an ICU nurse that this can affect us and keep us from being where we are needed.
"Police on the platform but not challenging anyone."
It comes after Sadiq Khan reduced the Tube service last week – shutting stations and running fewer trains.
It means NHS staff and other workers in vital sectors are waiting up to 20 minutes for trains – as well as being at more risk of infection.
Another doctor travelling this morning questioned whether the commuters on her platform were essential workers.
Dr Sophie Bracke tweeted: "On my way to the hospital in a tube that is so packed that not everyone is able to fit in first tube.
"This many people essential workers? This many people who need the tube? If so – why are we reducing service and making them more cramped?"
'IT'S NOT SAFE'
Last week, NHS staff begged the London Mayor to allow more trains to run.
Lowri, 28, a nurse in the paediatric intensive care unit, told The Sun Online: "It's not safe as we are unable to keep a safe distance. I felt like I was putting myself at risk but have to get to work as I work in an intensive care unit.
"A more regular service between peak times for shift work would be amazing. London has numerous hospitals and thousands of staff are used to run these hospitals."
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has described Tube overcrowding as "unacceptable," claiming Transport for London had gone "too far" in reducing services.
The comments were made during a closed Commons Transport Committee meeting between MPs via Skype on Wednesday.
A note summarising the discussion was released to the media on Friday.
He said: "The crowding was unacceptable. The situation had not been well handled."
It comes as Boris Johnson turned his fire on Mr Khan last week, holding him responsible for the dangerous congestion during rush hour.
Pledging to give the mayor "every support" the PM said: "My own view is that we should be able to run a better Tube system at the moment, we should be able to get more Tubes on the line."
In an effort to keep them clean, trains are now being sprayed in an "anti-viral" spray, which bosses claim will keep coronavirus off seats and handrails for up to 30 days.
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