Train travel

Probably now is the safest time to travel-equipped with sanitiser and a mask.
I haven’t been on a train, but people I see on the buses here are always masked.
The thought of having lungs only working between 50%-75% would be a worry for me, but I’d want to get out and about whilst I still could.
If your journey is important for you for whatever reason, go for it.
Hope you enjoy it Cyrana.

Thanks all - very helpful.

I travelled from Lincoln to Richmond, Surrey and back a couple of weeks ago and it was one of the nicest trips I've ever taken. Allocated seating, at least 2m apart, on the train to Kings Cross and very few people travelling so it was blissfully peaceful and I didn't see anyone without a mask/covering.

The suburban train to Richmond was also quiet and around 95% of those I saw had their faces covered. The return trip was much the same.

I have to qualify this by saying that I don't have the sort of health conditions which might add to concerns and I have been somewhat dismissive throughout of the panic and alarm about public transport which has been engendered in so many people.

However, I have never seen the trains so clean as they are at present; station staff are politely reminding people to stay apart. My feeling is that if the OP follows the rules, avoids the rush hour, carries and uses hand cleanser, then there's no reason not to take a train journey.

I agree that surfaces are a risk, which is why I carry alcogel in my bag and use it frequently.

I went on an hour long train journey 2 weeks ago (from London) and my experience echoes that of vegansrock. You obviously must make up your own mind, but my feeling is that as best as we can, we must get on with our lives.

make

Masks will reduce the risk but not eliminate it. Even if everyone was in a mask. Surfaces are a significant risk in shared areas and can't be cleaned between every journey.

You have to weigh
the importance of the journey

the level of infection in the areas you live and are travelling to

how ill you are likely to be if you catch the virus which I'm afraid in your case (age and underlying condition) is probably very ill.

Then decide how much you want to msje that journey.

I wouldn’t do it and I don’t have copd. I won’t be going on a bus or train for a long while but I have a car so it’s easy for me to say I suppose. If you really have to then be extremely careful.

I’m not sure where you live but I went on a train in London for the first time in ages - was pleasantly surprised that it was fairly empty and pretty much everyone I saw was wearing a mask, so I felt fairly relaxed. Maybe a longer journey you’d find more compliance.