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‘Grammie’s Taking Food to Other People’: A Trucker Keeps Trucking ‘Grammie’s Taking Food to Other People’: A Trucker Keeps Trucking
(32 minutes later)
— Ingrid Brown, a trucker— Ingrid Brown, a trucker
[This profile is part of a series looking at women at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus. Sign up here for more profiles in the weeks ahead. This week’s profile is a partnership between The New York Times and The Fuller Project.][This profile is part of a series looking at women at the forefront of the fight against coronavirus. Sign up here for more profiles in the weeks ahead. This week’s profile is a partnership between The New York Times and The Fuller Project.]
Ingrid Brown loves the peace of the night, especially these days. When the sun sets, it’s just her and the road, her truck lights illuminating the highway stretching out ahead. The quiet is “like a breath of fresh air,” she says.Ingrid Brown loves the peace of the night, especially these days. When the sun sets, it’s just her and the road, her truck lights illuminating the highway stretching out ahead. The quiet is “like a breath of fresh air,” she says.
As America stocks up and hunkers down during the coronavirus crisis, Brown isn’t sheltering in place at home in North Carolina.As America stocks up and hunkers down during the coronavirus crisis, Brown isn’t sheltering in place at home in North Carolina.
Instead, the 58-year-old outspoken truck driver and grandmother of six is on the road, crisscrossing the U.S. in an 80,000-pound truck filled with produce. Over the past two months, as highways have quieted, schools have closed, and non-essential shops have shuttered, Brown has delivered fruit, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products from coast to coast, making stops in Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, California, Oregon, Arkansas, and Washington.Instead, the 58-year-old outspoken truck driver and grandmother of six is on the road, crisscrossing the U.S. in an 80,000-pound truck filled with produce. Over the past two months, as highways have quieted, schools have closed, and non-essential shops have shuttered, Brown has delivered fruit, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products from coast to coast, making stops in Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, California, Oregon, Arkansas, and Washington.
Brown is one of some 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S., more than 200,000 of whom are women, keeping America well fed and well stocked during the pandemic.Brown is one of some 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S., more than 200,000 of whom are women, keeping America well fed and well stocked during the pandemic.
These days, Brown drives largely without protective equipment. She can’t easily find masks or disinfectant supplies to wipe down her truck. While some large trucking companies have provided supplies to their personnel, many truckers are left to protect themselves.These days, Brown drives largely without protective equipment. She can’t easily find masks or disinfectant supplies to wipe down her truck. While some large trucking companies have provided supplies to their personnel, many truckers are left to protect themselves.
“We’re going into this naked,” Brown said by phone, as she drove through Missouri earlier this month. “We are running through a fire with a pair of gasoline pants on. That’s what’s happening. Drivers have no protection.”“We’re going into this naked,” Brown said by phone, as she drove through Missouri earlier this month. “We are running through a fire with a pair of gasoline pants on. That’s what’s happening. Drivers have no protection.”
As someone who is in regular contact with people across the country, she says, she could become a carrier and infect someone else.As someone who is in regular contact with people across the country, she says, she could become a carrier and infect someone else.
Brown also worries that she could fall ill, thousands of miles from home. Her yearslong battle with melanoma skin cancer might mean she’s more at risk if she gets the virus. Two years ago, doctors removed a third of her throat. Just a few weeks ago, she was hauling produce with fresh stitches in her leg and lip from surgery to remove cancerous and precancerous cells.Brown also worries that she could fall ill, thousands of miles from home. Her yearslong battle with melanoma skin cancer might mean she’s more at risk if she gets the virus. Two years ago, doctors removed a third of her throat. Just a few weeks ago, she was hauling produce with fresh stitches in her leg and lip from surgery to remove cancerous and precancerous cells.
Even so, Brown has no plans to go home anytime soon. She loves trucking, and “America moves by truck,” she says. The “’rona-19,” as she calls it, can’t keep truckers home. They’re essential workers who make up the backbone of a hugely important, yet troubled, industry. Nearly all of America’s produce, goods, and equipment are transported by truck.Even so, Brown has no plans to go home anytime soon. She loves trucking, and “America moves by truck,” she says. The “’rona-19,” as she calls it, can’t keep truckers home. They’re essential workers who make up the backbone of a hugely important, yet troubled, industry. Nearly all of America’s produce, goods, and equipment are transported by truck.
“The babies will tell you, ‘Grammie’s out taking food to other people,’” said Brown, speaking fondly of her young grandchildren back in Georgia. “‘And as soon as this is over, when everybody gets well, Grammie is coming straight home in the big truck.’”“The babies will tell you, ‘Grammie’s out taking food to other people,’” said Brown, speaking fondly of her young grandchildren back in Georgia. “‘And as soon as this is over, when everybody gets well, Grammie is coming straight home in the big truck.’”
Brown has been driving trucks for four decades. When she’s not on the road, she FaceTimes with her grandchildren and advocates safe working conditions and better opportunities for truckers.Brown has been driving trucks for four decades. When she’s not on the road, she FaceTimes with her grandchildren and advocates safe working conditions and better opportunities for truckers.
Despite the millions of truck drivers on the road, there is an overall shortage of big-rig truck drivers like Brown, even though the percentage of women in trucking increased by 68 percent from 2010 to 2018, according to data from the American Trucking Associations. It’s a grueling job that can keep truckers far from their families for long stretches of time, in difficult working conditions.Despite the millions of truck drivers on the road, there is an overall shortage of big-rig truck drivers like Brown, even though the percentage of women in trucking increased by 68 percent from 2010 to 2018, according to data from the American Trucking Associations. It’s a grueling job that can keep truckers far from their families for long stretches of time, in difficult working conditions.
She’s one of the founding members of the nonprofit Women in Trucking, a national organization that supports women truck drivers in an overwhelmingly male-dominated industry, advocating sexual harassment education, better safety measures, like better lighting and surveillance cameras at truck stops, and safer seatbelts for women. (It takes the length of two football fields to stop an 80,000 pound truck going 65 miles an hour, Brown says, and truck seatbelts aren’t designed for most female bodies.)She’s one of the founding members of the nonprofit Women in Trucking, a national organization that supports women truck drivers in an overwhelmingly male-dominated industry, advocating sexual harassment education, better safety measures, like better lighting and surveillance cameras at truck stops, and safer seatbelts for women. (It takes the length of two football fields to stop an 80,000 pound truck going 65 miles an hour, Brown says, and truck seatbelts aren’t designed for most female bodies.)
This isn’t the first time Brown has worked through a crisis. In 2017, when billowing prairie fires wiped out farmland and killed livestock in Oklahoma, she donated her truck, time, and fuel to haul hay from Minnesota to help the “families who lost everything.”This isn’t the first time Brown has worked through a crisis. In 2017, when billowing prairie fires wiped out farmland and killed livestock in Oklahoma, she donated her truck, time, and fuel to haul hay from Minnesota to help the “families who lost everything.”
But this crisis is different. It poses an invisible threat, one that can linger for days before you even know you’re sick. She’s in touch with a network of colleagues across the country to navigate the health risks and find safe places to eat, shop, use the bathroom and shower.But this crisis is different. It poses an invisible threat, one that can linger for days before you even know you’re sick. She’s in touch with a network of colleagues across the country to navigate the health risks and find safe places to eat, shop, use the bathroom and shower.
Coronavirus certainly makes the job harder: Shipments are no longer predictable. Orders for essential items like medical goods and food have skyrocketed in recent weeks to keep up with demand, while other shipments have been canceled as stores, hotels and restaurants shut down operations.Coronavirus certainly makes the job harder: Shipments are no longer predictable. Orders for essential items like medical goods and food have skyrocketed in recent weeks to keep up with demand, while other shipments have been canceled as stores, hotels and restaurants shut down operations.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans are isolated at home, cooking up a storm. Brown recently unloaded a shipment of cabbage at Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, in New York City. They were running dangerously low on cabbage before she showed up. “I didn’t realize New York City ate so much cabbage,” Brown said, laughing. “I guess they like slaw.”Meanwhile, millions of Americans are isolated at home, cooking up a storm. Brown recently unloaded a shipment of cabbage at Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, in New York City. They were running dangerously low on cabbage before she showed up. “I didn’t realize New York City ate so much cabbage,” Brown said, laughing. “I guess they like slaw.”
On the road, meals and supplies are more difficult to come by. Many restaurants are closed. Truck stops are running out of certain goods, and truckers can’t easily pull into parking lots — like a Target, or a Walmart — to buy essentials if there isn’t a designated truck parking space. Even if they can, Brown says, coveted items — like Clorox wipes — are mostly out of stock.On the road, meals and supplies are more difficult to come by. Many restaurants are closed. Truck stops are running out of certain goods, and truckers can’t easily pull into parking lots — like a Target, or a Walmart — to buy essentials if there isn’t a designated truck parking space. Even if they can, Brown says, coveted items — like Clorox wipes — are mostly out of stock.
The other day, Brown pulled into the Ingrid R. Brown Petro truck stop and travel center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (yes, it’s named after her in recognition of her decades of dedication to the trucking community).The other day, Brown pulled into the Ingrid R. Brown Petro truck stop and travel center in Oklahoma City, Okla. (yes, it’s named after her in recognition of her decades of dedication to the trucking community).
Brown asked a few truck drivers at the Petro if they’d seen hand sanitizer sold inside. There wasn’t any.Brown asked a few truck drivers at the Petro if they’d seen hand sanitizer sold inside. There wasn’t any.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The next morning, after finishing an interview with Fox & Friends (she frequently makes appearances as a trucking advocate), one of the men — a “gentleman” from Iowa, as Brown described him — walked up to her truck and offered her a one-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer. It was half full.The next morning, after finishing an interview with Fox & Friends (she frequently makes appearances as a trucking advocate), one of the men — a “gentleman” from Iowa, as Brown described him — walked up to her truck and offered her a one-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer. It was half full.
“I don’t have much, but I’d love to share this with you,” he said.“I don’t have much, but I’d love to share this with you,” he said.
It “just touched my heart,” Brown said. And it’s far from the only act of kindness in recent weeks. Across the country, hotels, companies, and individuals have been stepping up to help feed and house truckers.It “just touched my heart,” Brown said. And it’s far from the only act of kindness in recent weeks. Across the country, hotels, companies, and individuals have been stepping up to help feed and house truckers.
One luxury hotel in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, offered to house truckers for free, so they could have a comfortable place to sleep outside of the cramped quarters of their truck cabs. “How blessed this is,” Brown said. She was thrilled.One luxury hotel in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, offered to house truckers for free, so they could have a comfortable place to sleep outside of the cramped quarters of their truck cabs. “How blessed this is,” Brown said. She was thrilled.
And then, a change of heart. She called back to cancel the reservation. The manager was shocked.And then, a change of heart. She called back to cancel the reservation. The manager was shocked.
“I can’t come,” she told him. “I can’t do that to you.”“I can’t come,” she told him. “I can’t do that to you.”
Brown didn’t want to sicken the manager and his family, or the hotel and cleaning staff, if she was unknowingly an asymptomatic carrier of the coronavirus.Brown didn’t want to sicken the manager and his family, or the hotel and cleaning staff, if she was unknowingly an asymptomatic carrier of the coronavirus.
“If I don’t protect y’all by protecting myself,” she said, “this is not going to stop.”“If I don’t protect y’all by protecting myself,” she said, “this is not going to stop.”
Sophia Jones is managing editor of The Fuller Project, a journalism nonprofit that reports on global issues impacting women.Sophia Jones is managing editor of The Fuller Project, a journalism nonprofit that reports on global issues impacting women.
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Write to us at inherwords@nytimes.com.Write to us at inherwords@nytimes.com.
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