This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/nyregion/Instacart-shopper-coronavirus.html
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| ‘I Feel Like a Hero’: A Day in the Life of a Grocery Delivery Man | ‘I Feel Like a Hero’: A Day in the Life of a Grocery Delivery Man |
| (17 days later) | |
| When he heard the news about the coronavirus pandemic and the citywide shutdown, Gerald Timothee called his family back home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. | When he heard the news about the coronavirus pandemic and the citywide shutdown, Gerald Timothee called his family back home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. |
| He wondered how long he could keep his job delivering groceries for the Instacart app with the deadly airborne disease running rampant. And how long would it be before the disease overtook him as he made deliveries? | He wondered how long he could keep his job delivering groceries for the Instacart app with the deadly airborne disease running rampant. And how long would it be before the disease overtook him as he made deliveries? |
| “I told them I was going to die,” Mr. Timothee, 35, recalled. “I thought my life was over. I didn’t know how I could work with this.” | “I told them I was going to die,” Mr. Timothee, 35, recalled. “I thought my life was over. I didn’t know how I could work with this.” |
| The possibility of getting sick is a reality Mr. Timothee and thousands of other workers in New York City’s gig economy have had to face each day as they venture out onto the city’s streets not only to earn a living, but also to feed other residents. | The possibility of getting sick is a reality Mr. Timothee and thousands of other workers in New York City’s gig economy have had to face each day as they venture out onto the city’s streets not only to earn a living, but also to feed other residents. |
| Yet for many of these workers, their initial terror has been steeled with a sense of duty and pride. “It’s all about us right now,” Mr. Timothee said. “We are holding this city together. I feel like a hero.” | Yet for many of these workers, their initial terror has been steeled with a sense of duty and pride. “It’s all about us right now,” Mr. Timothee said. “We are holding this city together. I feel like a hero.” |
| Following a dramatic increase in demand during stay-at-home orders, Instacart’s personal shopper ranks in New York City alone have swelled to more than 14,000 since March, according to company officials, an increase of more than 150 percent. | Following a dramatic increase in demand during stay-at-home orders, Instacart’s personal shopper ranks in New York City alone have swelled to more than 14,000 since March, according to company officials, an increase of more than 150 percent. |
| The company employs workers to shop for and deliver groceries and other household items ordered online through an app, paying them a fee for each delivery. | The company employs workers to shop for and deliver groceries and other household items ordered online through an app, paying them a fee for each delivery. |
| With a more than 400 percent increase in sales since March, Instacart has seen a greater rise since the pandemic than any other company — even Amazon or Walmart. It is one of several on-demand grocery delivery services, including Prime Now, Peapod, FreshDirect, and Shipt, which send legions of delivery people around the city every day. | With a more than 400 percent increase in sales since March, Instacart has seen a greater rise since the pandemic than any other company — even Amazon or Walmart. It is one of several on-demand grocery delivery services, including Prime Now, Peapod, FreshDirect, and Shipt, which send legions of delivery people around the city every day. |
| Most of the money Mr. Timothee makes from his work as an Instacart shopper goes to help family back home in Haiti. But he and some friends from Port-au-Prince also pool money to buy food for needy families back home — packages filled with rice, oil and fish that have helped dozens of families in Haiti get through the pandemic. | Most of the money Mr. Timothee makes from his work as an Instacart shopper goes to help family back home in Haiti. But he and some friends from Port-au-Prince also pool money to buy food for needy families back home — packages filled with rice, oil and fish that have helped dozens of families in Haiti get through the pandemic. |
| Mr. Timothee’s day begins each morning with an hourlong trek from his small studio apartment in East New York, Brooklyn, to Midtown Manhattan, where, he said, wealthier city dwellers are more prone to use the app and its shoppers rather than brave the stores themselves. He boards a usually desolate No. 2 train and starts shopping at noon. | Mr. Timothee’s day begins each morning with an hourlong trek from his small studio apartment in East New York, Brooklyn, to Midtown Manhattan, where, he said, wealthier city dwellers are more prone to use the app and its shoppers rather than brave the stores themselves. He boards a usually desolate No. 2 train and starts shopping at noon. |
| Unlike many Instacart workers who own cars, Mr. Timothee is a “walker,” making his deliveries on foot. | Unlike many Instacart workers who own cars, Mr. Timothee is a “walker,” making his deliveries on foot. |
| “I walk anywhere from five to six miles a day,” he said from behind his face mask one brisk overcast afternoon in late April. Perched outside an apartment on 52nd Street and Third Avenue, he scrolled the Instacart app in search of his next shop, or “batch” as Instacart shoppers call them. | “I walk anywhere from five to six miles a day,” he said from behind his face mask one brisk overcast afternoon in late April. Perched outside an apartment on 52nd Street and Third Avenue, he scrolled the Instacart app in search of his next shop, or “batch” as Instacart shoppers call them. |
| Being on foot forces Mr. Timothee to think strategically about each job he accepts. On a recent afternoon, there was a gig on 73rd Street that could score a $45 payment (including tip), and another on 59th Street that would net him $34. He chose the 59th Street option, noting its proximity to a nearby Gristedes market. | Being on foot forces Mr. Timothee to think strategically about each job he accepts. On a recent afternoon, there was a gig on 73rd Street that could score a $45 payment (including tip), and another on 59th Street that would net him $34. He chose the 59th Street option, noting its proximity to a nearby Gristedes market. |
| “It’s a bit like chess, being a walker,” he said. “You have to be smart. You have to be patient.” | “It’s a bit like chess, being a walker,” he said. “You have to be smart. You have to be patient.” |
| As he does in most trips, he made his way to the grocery store and then to his customer’s building through a mix of walking and public transit. | As he does in most trips, he made his way to the grocery store and then to his customer’s building through a mix of walking and public transit. |
| Shuffling past eerily quiet Midtown streets at 2 p.m. — past empty bagel shops and sushi bars, an Equinox gym and New York souvenir shop — he hopped on a northbound city bus. With hardly anyone riding anymore, swiping was unnecessary. He entered the bus through its rear exit, and took a seat. | Shuffling past eerily quiet Midtown streets at 2 p.m. — past empty bagel shops and sushi bars, an Equinox gym and New York souvenir shop — he hopped on a northbound city bus. With hardly anyone riding anymore, swiping was unnecessary. He entered the bus through its rear exit, and took a seat. |
| In the past, at this time of day, the bus might have been standing room only. But that day, there were only three riders. “This is the new norm now, man,” he said. “It takes some getting used to.” | In the past, at this time of day, the bus might have been standing room only. But that day, there were only three riders. “This is the new norm now, man,” he said. “It takes some getting used to.” |
| He is a slender man just a little taller than six feet, with tattoos on his neck and a nose ring. But these days, his features are almost always hidden. His protective mask hardly ever comes down below his nose. “It’s my armor,” he said with a laugh. “I never take it off.” | He is a slender man just a little taller than six feet, with tattoos on his neck and a nose ring. But these days, his features are almost always hidden. His protective mask hardly ever comes down below his nose. “It’s my armor,” he said with a laugh. “I never take it off.” |
| He carried a rolling aluminum and nylon reinforced shopping trolley that he uses to transport his groceries, and a backpack, stuffed with protective equipment provided by Instacart, including hand sanitizer and packs of protective gloves. | He carried a rolling aluminum and nylon reinforced shopping trolley that he uses to transport his groceries, and a backpack, stuffed with protective equipment provided by Instacart, including hand sanitizer and packs of protective gloves. |
| Updated July 7, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization. | |
| 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. |
| Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. | Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles. |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| For weeks Instacart, and a number of other gig economy businesses like Amazon, drew criticism from workers for not adequately protecting them from the coronavirus. | For weeks Instacart, and a number of other gig economy businesses like Amazon, drew criticism from workers for not adequately protecting them from the coronavirus. |
| After months of protests, strikes and walkouts, Instacart said it has improved its protective efforts, including an investment of more than $20 million in the last few weeks on packs of personal protective equipment, or P.P.E., for shoppers. | After months of protests, strikes and walkouts, Instacart said it has improved its protective efforts, including an investment of more than $20 million in the last few weeks on packs of personal protective equipment, or P.P.E., for shoppers. |
| Now, all Instacart shoppers are able to use the company app to have a package (including a face mask, protective gloves and sanitizer) mailed to them. | Now, all Instacart shoppers are able to use the company app to have a package (including a face mask, protective gloves and sanitizer) mailed to them. |
| Mr. Timothee, who has been shopping with Instacart since 2016, said he had never had problems getting equipment from local stores. “You have to know who to ask,” he said. | Mr. Timothee, who has been shopping with Instacart since 2016, said he had never had problems getting equipment from local stores. “You have to know who to ask,” he said. |
| Entering Gristedes, he began a well-honed routine. He put his cart near the register and approached the shopping baskets. Putting his phone into this pocket, he took a pair of fresh latex gloves from his backpack and slid them onto his hands as he grabbed a small bottle of hand sanitizer and began disinfecting the basket. He then retrieved his phone and sprayed it down. | Entering Gristedes, he began a well-honed routine. He put his cart near the register and approached the shopping baskets. Putting his phone into this pocket, he took a pair of fresh latex gloves from his backpack and slid them onto his hands as he grabbed a small bottle of hand sanitizer and began disinfecting the basket. He then retrieved his phone and sprayed it down. |
| “You never, ever touch anything first,” he said. | “You never, ever touch anything first,” he said. |
| Just then a woman came by and moved his shopping basket to the side. With a sigh, he repeated the process. | Just then a woman came by and moved his shopping basket to the side. With a sigh, he repeated the process. |
| Once he has properly sanitized himself and the cart, the shopping becomes easy, he said. In less than 10 minutes he had got what he needed: a pack of toilet paper and paper towels, English muffins and yogurt. After a swift checkout he began the three-block walk to deliver the goods to his customer. | Once he has properly sanitized himself and the cart, the shopping becomes easy, he said. In less than 10 minutes he had got what he needed: a pack of toilet paper and paper towels, English muffins and yogurt. After a swift checkout he began the three-block walk to deliver the goods to his customer. |
| Working usually until 8 p.m. or so, he makes anywhere from eight to 10 shopping trips a day. | Working usually until 8 p.m. or so, he makes anywhere from eight to 10 shopping trips a day. |
| The first customer had tipped him generously, but he knew he would never see her. Since the pandemic hit, he said, customers hardly ever interact with shoppers anymore, for fear of contamination. Instead he is typically asked to leave the groceries on a porch, with a doorman or at a front desk. | The first customer had tipped him generously, but he knew he would never see her. Since the pandemic hit, he said, customers hardly ever interact with shoppers anymore, for fear of contamination. Instead he is typically asked to leave the groceries on a porch, with a doorman or at a front desk. |
| “Ninety percent of the time I don’t see who I am shopping for anymore,” he said. | “Ninety percent of the time I don’t see who I am shopping for anymore,” he said. |