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| This Food Delivery Worker Won’t Let Coronavirus Get in Her Way | This Food Delivery Worker Won’t Let Coronavirus Get in Her Way |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| — D’Shea Grant, a delivery worker with DoorDash | — D’Shea Grant, a delivery worker with DoorDash |
| In Her Words is available as a newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. | In Her Words is available as a newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. |
| When D’Shea Grant has a tough day, she plays Mary J. Blige. Lately, she’s been playing her a lot. | When D’Shea Grant has a tough day, she plays Mary J. Blige. Lately, she’s been playing her a lot. |
| Grant, 41, works what feels like two full-time jobs: In the daytime, she’s taking care of her daughter, De’Onna, 20, who has cerebral palsy. At night, she’s delivering meals through the company DoorDash, a food delivery app. In between, she’s catching up on sleep. | Grant, 41, works what feels like two full-time jobs: In the daytime, she’s taking care of her daughter, De’Onna, 20, who has cerebral palsy. At night, she’s delivering meals through the company DoorDash, a food delivery app. In between, she’s catching up on sleep. |
| Grant, who lives in New York City, is one of roughly 200,000 food delivery workers in the country; on food delivery apps, the majority are women. At DoorDash, women make up over half of its “dashers” in suburban areas and more than 60 percent in cities. Grant says she likes the flexibility of the work, which allows her to spend the day with her daughter at home, or cancel shifts if she has a child care emergency. | Grant, who lives in New York City, is one of roughly 200,000 food delivery workers in the country; on food delivery apps, the majority are women. At DoorDash, women make up over half of its “dashers” in suburban areas and more than 60 percent in cities. Grant says she likes the flexibility of the work, which allows her to spend the day with her daughter at home, or cancel shifts if she has a child care emergency. |
| But, of course, the pandemic has made everything more complicated. | But, of course, the pandemic has made everything more complicated. |
| Her deliveries now take longer because of the sanitizing routine she does between each one. Her customers are on edge, and Grant is too. She struggles to keep her daughter focused during virtual classes, and worries that the school shutdown could delay De’Onna’s graduation set for next year. | Her deliveries now take longer because of the sanitizing routine she does between each one. Her customers are on edge, and Grant is too. She struggles to keep her daughter focused during virtual classes, and worries that the school shutdown could delay De’Onna’s graduation set for next year. |
| Leaving home to start her DoorDash shift isn’t easy for Grant, because she’s keenly aware of all the ways she can be exposed to the virus while on the job. She doesn’t have the luxury of keeping indoors, like the people for whom she delivers fresh meals. And now she is one of New York’s frontline workers: more than one million essential workers, or 25 percent of the city work force, who have continued crossing the boroughs, riding the subways, and weaving in and out of restaurants to keep the rest of the population safe and well-fed. Grant gets around by car, an Acura MDX that she bought in 2006, which helps her navigate the city safely though it comes with the costs of gas and upkeep. | Leaving home to start her DoorDash shift isn’t easy for Grant, because she’s keenly aware of all the ways she can be exposed to the virus while on the job. She doesn’t have the luxury of keeping indoors, like the people for whom she delivers fresh meals. And now she is one of New York’s frontline workers: more than one million essential workers, or 25 percent of the city work force, who have continued crossing the boroughs, riding the subways, and weaving in and out of restaurants to keep the rest of the population safe and well-fed. Grant gets around by car, an Acura MDX that she bought in 2006, which helps her navigate the city safely though it comes with the costs of gas and upkeep. |
| “Do I ever take a bike? Heck no,” she laughed. (“But at first I thought you said, ‘Do I ever take a bite!’ Heck no, girl!”) | “Do I ever take a bike? Heck no,” she laughed. (“But at first I thought you said, ‘Do I ever take a bite!’ Heck no, girl!”) |
| The nights are long, so Grant finds reasons to crack jokes throughout her delivery shifts. She likes to sing along to Lil Duval: “I ain’t going back and forth with you / I’m living my best life!” Some of the staff at the Caribbean and soul food restaurants where she does frequent pickups recognize her, and they play the music she likes when she walks through the door. | The nights are long, so Grant finds reasons to crack jokes throughout her delivery shifts. She likes to sing along to Lil Duval: “I ain’t going back and forth with you / I’m living my best life!” Some of the staff at the Caribbean and soul food restaurants where she does frequent pickups recognize her, and they play the music she likes when she walks through the door. |
| Long nights are helped along by people’s responses when she delivers their orders — pizza, salad, lo mein. She likes making eye contact with her customers from across a lobby, even when they can’t interact. “They’ll wave to you like, ‘thank you!’ and you can tell by the body language that they’re happy to get a hot meal,” Grant said. | Long nights are helped along by people’s responses when she delivers their orders — pizza, salad, lo mein. She likes making eye contact with her customers from across a lobby, even when they can’t interact. “They’ll wave to you like, ‘thank you!’ and you can tell by the body language that they’re happy to get a hot meal,” Grant said. |
| “That attitude of being thankful and appreciative goes further than a dollar bill,” she said. | “That attitude of being thankful and appreciative goes further than a dollar bill,” she said. |
| But of course the tips are important, too. Thankfully some customers have boosted their tips in recent weeks. On a good night, Grant takes home between $110 and $160, including wages and tips, from her seven-hour shift. Her mother watches De’Onna while she is at work. | But of course the tips are important, too. Thankfully some customers have boosted their tips in recent weeks. On a good night, Grant takes home between $110 and $160, including wages and tips, from her seven-hour shift. Her mother watches De’Onna while she is at work. |
| Like so many others, Grant feels ready for life to return to normal. She misses going to church, having dinner with girlfriends and going to the gym. (Now she gets her workouts in by doing squats and high-knees when her customers’ food orders are delayed.) But most of all, she wants life to return to normal for the sake of De’Onna. | Like so many others, Grant feels ready for life to return to normal. She misses going to church, having dinner with girlfriends and going to the gym. (Now she gets her workouts in by doing squats and high-knees when her customers’ food orders are delayed.) But most of all, she wants life to return to normal for the sake of De’Onna. |
| De’Onna is supposed to graduate next June from P.S. 233 in South Jamaica, Queens, which serves students with special needs.Worried that the shutdown could slow her daughter’s progress, Grant tries to make up the gap. | De’Onna is supposed to graduate next June from P.S. 233 in South Jamaica, Queens, which serves students with special needs.Worried that the shutdown could slow her daughter’s progress, Grant tries to make up the gap. |
| Each morning, they sit down and work through math and reading lessons together. Grant has been teaching her daughter to count by picking up objects, one by one. Then they visit a virtual museum together, like the Boston Children’s Museum or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And finally they do a virtual yoga class on YouTube. De’Onna can’t physically participate, Grant explained, but she likes to watch and take in the sounds. | Each morning, they sit down and work through math and reading lessons together. Grant has been teaching her daughter to count by picking up objects, one by one. Then they visit a virtual museum together, like the Boston Children’s Museum or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And finally they do a virtual yoga class on YouTube. De’Onna can’t physically participate, Grant explained, but she likes to watch and take in the sounds. |
| De’Onna does not understand that a pandemic hit, so she gets confused when her mom explains that she can’t go to school or be with her friends. Like her mom, De’Onna is happiest when she’s around other people. Her classmates love her bright disposition and they “treat her like a queen,” Grant said. | De’Onna does not understand that a pandemic hit, so she gets confused when her mom explains that she can’t go to school or be with her friends. Like her mom, De’Onna is happiest when she’s around other people. Her classmates love her bright disposition and they “treat her like a queen,” Grant said. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| “I hope we can go back to our routine so De’Onna can ride the bus and show off her brand-new wheelchair,” Grant said. It has chrome-red wheels and the seat tilts all the way back in case De’Onna needs to take a nap. | “I hope we can go back to our routine so De’Onna can ride the bus and show off her brand-new wheelchair,” Grant said. It has chrome-red wheels and the seat tilts all the way back in case De’Onna needs to take a nap. |
| For now, though, they just keep going. | For now, though, they just keep going. |
| Evening arrives and Grant gets ready to leave the house. She kisses her daughter goodbye. Then she takes out her mask and gloves, and she says a prayer asking God for protection. “I’m not fearful, I’m cautious,” she said. “Because fear will stop you, and I don’t want anything to stop me from helping others.” | Evening arrives and Grant gets ready to leave the house. She kisses her daughter goodbye. Then she takes out her mask and gloves, and she says a prayer asking God for protection. “I’m not fearful, I’m cautious,” she said. “Because fear will stop you, and I don’t want anything to stop me from helping others.” |
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