Uber suspends hundreds of accounts after coronavirus patient takes rides in Mexico

[alittlelark]

Source: New York Post

A Chinese man who tested positive for the coronavirus had used Uber on a recent previous trip to Mexico, prompting the company to suspend hundreds of other riders’ accounts to contain the spread of the epidemic.

The man flew Jan. 20 from Los Angeles to Mexico City, where he took Uber rides on at least two occasions, BBC reported.

He then began suffering symptoms on the evening of Jan. 21 and the next day took an Uber back to the airport, the report said. The man flew back to the US, where he was diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Uber said it has suspended two drivers who he came into contact with on the trip, as well as 240 other rider accounts in case one of the drivers potentially spread the virus to them, BBC reported.

Read more: https://nypost.com/2020/02/04/uber-suspends-hundreds-of-accounts-after-coronavirus-patient-takes-rides-in-mexico/

[getagrip_already]

1. of course they suspended the drivers with pay, right? (sigh)

Uber is not a gov't agency, and shouldn't act like one. I get suspending the drivers, but they should be paid for the time they are prevented to work.

And the other riders should be notified and advised, not banned.

Buttheads.

[Rural_Progressive]

2. Guess I'm easily confused

Last edited Tue Feb 4, 2020, 05:56 PM - Edit history (1)

but how does suspending accounts help contain a virus?

I actually was asking how suspending FaceBook accounts helped contain a virus. My fault for not being clearer.

[getagrip_already]

3. it doesn't, it keeps uber from having to do anything else.....

If any of those people end up being sick, uber cars will get a bad image, So not only can you be assaulted or raped by your driver, you can get sick.

It's damage control and a pretty ham fisted attempt to boot.

[aggiesal]

6. It keeps users from using the same ...

vehicle that the coronavirus customer used, so that new riders
don't get infected.

Also suspending the riders that used those vehicles from using
uber in case they were infected, to keep from spreading it to other
uber drivers.

[EndlessWire]

10. Yeah.

I don't have an opinion on Uber's actions, other than they had to do something. But, I remember at one point it was reported that scientists don't know how long this new virus can survive in the environment.

[Polybius]

12. They suspended rider's accounts

So the people with the virus can not be picked up anymore by Uber drivers.

[getagrip_already]

14. see reply 11.... that isn't what happened. n/t

[Polybius]

11. They suspended rider's accounts

Not driver's accounts.

[getagrip_already]

13. if you read the text, they suspended 2 drivers as well.

not just passengers that rode with them. That wouldnt make any sense.

The sick passenger took two uber rides. Uber suspended those two drivers and any passengers that rode with them after exposure.

If they were allowed to keep working, they would have more passengers to suspend.

Uber said it has suspended two drivers who he came into contact with on the trip, as well as 240 other rider accounts in case one of the drivers potentially spread the virus to them, BBC reported.

[Polybius]

15. Ahh, gotcha

They should certainly pay those suspended drivers. It's not their fault.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Uber's doing better than Facebook

[Rural_Progressive]

5. Facebook is spreading the Wuhan virus?

[bucolic_frolic]

7. oh man duz I have to spellz it out

Facebook isn't banning any accounts

[Rural_Progressive]

9. Yah, I guess you do since I have no idea

what your post has to do with the transmission of a virus and a company's response to that situation.

[Towlie]

8. A coronavirus patient did not take rides in Mexico.

A man infected with the coronavirus took rides in Mexico, but did not become a patient until later.

[getagrip_already]

16. small difference - he was still infectious...

What they are finding with this virus is that it can be transmitted before symptoms appear. That's why people are so concerned. You don't have to feel sick to transmit it.

[alittlelark]

17. He was CONTAGIOUS - as are those assymptomatic for a week plus.

Think 'Typhoid Mary' - put her on steroids for a few days. This virus is new and not well understood, but the fact that a person can walk around UNSYMPTOMATIC for up to 2 weeks while transmitting the virus to all around them is deeply disturbing.