Something like 0.2% of NYC residents have passed away from the virus. As of 2018 the MTA had 50k employees. 60 out of 50,000 is 0.12%.
Yes, but they're workers. People generally retire at 65, and in the MTA, I believe you can get a full pension at 55. The population that pushes up the mortality numbers are 70+, and they're not driving a bus or a train anymore.
Age is relevant here. I don't recall the numbers, but I read that a disproportionate amount of younger people who have died from covid-19 or had sever cases, were healthcare workers. And the theory was that viral load plays a part.
The Chinese doctor who blew the whistle on covid-19 died from it, and I believe he was an otherwise healthy 30-something.
Another explanation is high long-term stress related to handling the pandemic in hospitals, as stress has negative effect on immune system.
I suspect this would be facted on operators (trains, bus, etc.) versus support/construction/maintenance staff.
The NYC subway system has me concerned. Not only is it filthy, but there is zero air circulation. This means that anything airborne will stay put, possibly in high concentration for a long time. Given the amount of people going thru these spaces, there is a high chance your going to be exposed to something. My concern is that I haven't heard anything on making the stations and cars cleaner or safer.