Beyond the Bus

Under Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Executive Order No. 2020-59, all persons entering an enclosed public space must wear a face mask or covering that shields both the nose and mouth.

CATA vehicles are considered “enclosed public spaces.” This means operators and riders are required to wear a face mask or covering on CATA vehicles. Some medical exceptions will be considered.

Don’t have a face mask handy? Here are a few no-sew ways to make your own.

Tie it back.

If you’re in a pinch, you can always tie a scarf or long-sleeve shirt around your nose and mouth. Use the tutorial below for a fitted look.

Cut it creatively.

If you have a pair of scissors handy, you can upcycle a t-shirt into a functional mask.

Don't have an extra t-shirt on hand? Check the sock drawer instead. Whatever material you choose, make sure it's clean. You will also want to wash your mask regularly.

Grab a ruler.

A straight edge, scissors, and long-sleeve shirt are all you need for this mask.

Whichever option you choose to follow state guidelines, remember to wash it regularly. That's the beauty of upcycling shirts or socks to make your mask – you already know you can throw a cloth mask in the washing machine. Alternatively, you can handwash your mask with soap and warm water.

On the road, horn honks are typically used to alert other drivers or pedestrians. Today, they will be used to say two words: thank you.

At 3 p.m., our operators will honk their horns twice in solidarity with transportation workers nationwide as part of the #SoundTheHorn campaign.

“We proudly sound our horn today in honor of transit workers the world over who are doing their part to contain this tragic pandemic,” said CATA CEO Bradley T. Funkhouser. CATA participated in the original campaign on April 16 and again on May 21.

Operators will sound the horn once to thank healthcare professionals, grocery store clerks, first responders, gas station employees, and other heroes who are performing critically essential work during COVID-19. They will sound the horn a second time to thank transportation workers nationwide for getting these essential workers where they need to go.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedication and commitment of our own essential workforce has been nothing short of heroic,” Funkhouser said. “Our call takers have fielded tens of thousands of calls. Our operators, mechanics, utilities and facilities personnel are working together to fulfill life-sustaining and medically necessary trips, as well as trips to get critical-infrastructure employees to work, often at great personal risk.”

Searching for your own ways to thank essential workers and spread positivity during COVID-19? Check out a few ideas here.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to make sweeping changes to our daily lives. Toilet paper is the hottest item on the market. Social distancing is the norm.

For the health and safety of our employees, riders and the general public, CATA even temporarily suspended its fixed-route services. We resumed limited summer service May 26 with rear-door boarding, fare-free rides and mask requirements.

Other public services are adapting as well, such as Capital Area District Libraries.

Since CADL is closed through late June, we're counting down three ways you can still connect with their services.

1. Tune in to a storytime show.

CADLtales is a kid-friendly educational series with stories, songs and learning activities. Shows are filmed at the downtown Lansing branch, so while you may not be able to visit the  branch in person, you can play these storytime shows whenever you’d like.

You can find a full playlist of episodes on CADL’s YouTube channel. Click here to learn more.

2. Go digital with download and streaming services.

Library cardholders can download or stream books, music, movies and more. No need for a Netflix subscription here. A bonus of going digital? You don’t have to go to the library to return borrowed items, so there are no overdue fees.

Explore CADL’s impressive digital library here. It even includes comic books!

3. Create your own historical adventure.

Explore our community’s history through thousands of images and documents with Local History Online. Conduct your own research, go on a virtual historical scavenger hunt or flip through photos that pre-date social media. No library card required.

Click here to start exploring.

Want another look at Stevie Wonder's time in Lansing? Check out this video testimonial from Below the Stacks.