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A Quarantined Uber Driver’s Quest for Paid Sick Leave A Quarantined Uber Driver’s Quest for Paid Sick Leave
(8 days later)
Zachary Frenette likes working as an Uber driver in Phoenix. He is a top-rated driver who often chats with his customers on their trips.Zachary Frenette likes working as an Uber driver in Phoenix. He is a top-rated driver who often chats with his customers on their trips.
During the outbreak of the coronavirus last month, business began to slow. Then, a possible exposure to the virus prompted Mr. Frenette, 29, to quarantine himself. Off the roads and worried about making his rent on time, he turned to Uber for help.During the outbreak of the coronavirus last month, business began to slow. Then, a possible exposure to the virus prompted Mr. Frenette, 29, to quarantine himself. Off the roads and worried about making his rent on time, he turned to Uber for help.
He had heard that the ride-hailing app was one of several companies that announced policies to offer paid leave or other compensation to workers infected by the coronavirus or ordered quarantined by the government or health care providers.He had heard that the ride-hailing app was one of several companies that announced policies to offer paid leave or other compensation to workers infected by the coronavirus or ordered quarantined by the government or health care providers.
For several days, Mr. Frenette communicated with the company by telephone, email and the Uber app, but he kept getting the same feedback — always polite, probably scripted and sometimes maddeningly vague — that he did not meet the criteria.For several days, Mr. Frenette communicated with the company by telephone, email and the Uber app, but he kept getting the same feedback — always polite, probably scripted and sometimes maddeningly vague — that he did not meet the criteria.
“I was just kind of like, OK, obviously I’m getting jerked around,” he said. “I don’t like having to wake up in the morning and feeling like I have to be ready for battle with major corporations.”“I was just kind of like, OK, obviously I’m getting jerked around,” he said. “I don’t like having to wake up in the morning and feeling like I have to be ready for battle with major corporations.”
He got a payment of $1,565 on Thursday — after he had gotten the news media involved.He got a payment of $1,565 on Thursday — after he had gotten the news media involved.
Mr. Frenette is only one of many gig economy workers who are struggling to adapt while claims for unemployment insurance surge, health care workers are overwhelmed, testing for the virus is difficult to access and companies are scrambling to adapt.Mr. Frenette is only one of many gig economy workers who are struggling to adapt while claims for unemployment insurance surge, health care workers are overwhelmed, testing for the virus is difficult to access and companies are scrambling to adapt.
“This is an unprecedented time, so it’s been a challenge for everyone, including us,” said Kayla Whaling, an Uber spokeswoman. “So we’ve been taking the feedback from drivers and learning from some of the mistakes that we’ve made along the way.”“This is an unprecedented time, so it’s been a challenge for everyone, including us,” said Kayla Whaling, an Uber spokeswoman. “So we’ve been taking the feedback from drivers and learning from some of the mistakes that we’ve made along the way.”
She said the company was among the first to implement a paid leave policy related to the virus for contract workers. Uber dedicated a team of support staff to prioritize the processing of sick leave payments on March 15.She said the company was among the first to implement a paid leave policy related to the virus for contract workers. Uber dedicated a team of support staff to prioritize the processing of sick leave payments on March 15.
Mr. Frenette, an entrepreneur who relies on Uber as his primary source of income, typically works for the company at least 40 hours a week. Passengers regularly leave him compliments about his friendliness, his cleanliness and his white Chevrolet.Mr. Frenette, an entrepreneur who relies on Uber as his primary source of income, typically works for the company at least 40 hours a week. Passengers regularly leave him compliments about his friendliness, his cleanliness and his white Chevrolet.
About two weeks ago, he picked up a man and a woman who said that they had just visited someone with the coronavirus. He also heard hints of possible illness from his two passengers — a cough and a sneeze.About two weeks ago, he picked up a man and a woman who said that they had just visited someone with the coronavirus. He also heard hints of possible illness from his two passengers — a cough and a sneeze.
That was enough to worry him. He said he visited his doctor the next day and got a letter recommending that he isolate himself.That was enough to worry him. He said he visited his doctor the next day and got a letter recommending that he isolate himself.
Mr. Frenette, who has been unable to get tested for the coronavirus, has H.I.V., which means his immune system is compromised. The doctor’s letter noted that he was “immune suppressed” and expressed concerns that his job involved close interactions with customers.Mr. Frenette, who has been unable to get tested for the coronavirus, has H.I.V., which means his immune system is compromised. The doctor’s letter noted that he was “immune suppressed” and expressed concerns that his job involved close interactions with customers.
So Mr. Frenette has hunkered down since March 20 in isolation with his dog, Teddy. He alerted Uber, which suspended his account to keep him off the roads.So Mr. Frenette has hunkered down since March 20 in isolation with his dog, Teddy. He alerted Uber, which suspended his account to keep him off the roads.
Mr. Frenette provided screenshots of his chats in the Uber app that showed days of messages between him and a series of agents.Mr. Frenette provided screenshots of his chats in the Uber app that showed days of messages between him and a series of agents.
They told him repeatedly that to qualify for assistance, he needed either a diagnosis of Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus, or an order from a licensed medical provider asking him to self-isolate “due to your risk of spreading Covid-19 to others.”They told him repeatedly that to qualify for assistance, he needed either a diagnosis of Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus, or an order from a licensed medical provider asking him to self-isolate “due to your risk of spreading Covid-19 to others.”
According to one message, Mr. Frenette did not provide documents that he was “suffering from Covid-like symptoms, currently diagnosed with Covid, or at risk of spreading Covid.”According to one message, Mr. Frenette did not provide documents that he was “suffering from Covid-like symptoms, currently diagnosed with Covid, or at risk of spreading Covid.”
“Are you kidding me?” he wrote in response.“Are you kidding me?” he wrote in response.
Days into his quarantine, one of his many calls to the company led him to an agent who seemed willing to help. She told him to try sending a letter through a different portal on the website — one dedicated not to drivers, but to law enforcement and public health officials.Days into his quarantine, one of his many calls to the company led him to an agent who seemed willing to help. She told him to try sending a letter through a different portal on the website — one dedicated not to drivers, but to law enforcement and public health officials.
That seemed to get some gears turning, but the financial assistance still did not come.That seemed to get some gears turning, but the financial assistance still did not come.
When Mr. Frenette complained that he had no way to make money and was still not getting help, the company reactivated his account, essentially allowing him to drive.When Mr. Frenette complained that he had no way to make money and was still not getting help, the company reactivated his account, essentially allowing him to drive.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
“Reactivating someone’s account when a medical professional has stated that they might have been exposed to coronavirus and is under self-quarantine is a careless way to avoid taking responsibility for the financial assistance I’m supposed to receive,” Mr. Frenette wrote to Uber on March 28. “That doesn’t look so great.”“Reactivating someone’s account when a medical professional has stated that they might have been exposed to coronavirus and is under self-quarantine is a careless way to avoid taking responsibility for the financial assistance I’m supposed to receive,” Mr. Frenette wrote to Uber on March 28. “That doesn’t look so great.”
His account has since been suspended again. Ms. Whaling confirmed that his account had been briefly activated, adding that the mistake was quickly “rectified and resolved.”His account has since been suspended again. Ms. Whaling confirmed that his account had been briefly activated, adding that the mistake was quickly “rectified and resolved.”
Mr. Frenette said he started to think about how other drivers in similar situations might be faring under the new policy, and what he could do to help.Mr. Frenette said he started to think about how other drivers in similar situations might be faring under the new policy, and what he could do to help.
He contacted news reporters. Business Insider first reported on Mr. Frenette’s case, among others, in an article published on Wednesday.He contacted news reporters. Business Insider first reported on Mr. Frenette’s case, among others, in an article published on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Mr. Frenette got a phone call from a woman at Uber who told him that he was getting an assistance payment. Ms. Whaling said that Mr. Frenette’s payment was processed as part of the normal review process.On Thursday, Mr. Frenette got a phone call from a woman at Uber who told him that he was getting an assistance payment. Ms. Whaling said that Mr. Frenette’s payment was processed as part of the normal review process.
“We did become aware of this driver’s situation through the Business Insider reporter, but his claim was already under review and we were taking action on it,” Ms. Whaling said.“We did become aware of this driver’s situation through the Business Insider reporter, but his claim was already under review and we were taking action on it,” Ms. Whaling said.
Uber was not immediately able to say how much it has paid drivers so far as part of its coronavirus assistance policy.Uber was not immediately able to say how much it has paid drivers so far as part of its coronavirus assistance policy.
Mr. Frenette’s account is scheduled to become active again on Monday, which will allow him to drive, but he has heard that demand for ride-hailing apps has dropped precipitously since his quarantine.Mr. Frenette’s account is scheduled to become active again on Monday, which will allow him to drive, but he has heard that demand for ride-hailing apps has dropped precipitously since his quarantine.
He is keenly aware that not all drivers would have the time and energy to pursue the help as doggedly as he did.He is keenly aware that not all drivers would have the time and energy to pursue the help as doggedly as he did.
“Because I’m annoying and I create a big firestorm, I’m getting my money and all these other people aren’t,” he said. “Given the amount of absolute hell I went through, I’m sure everyone else went through it too.”“Because I’m annoying and I create a big firestorm, I’m getting my money and all these other people aren’t,” he said. “Given the amount of absolute hell I went through, I’m sure everyone else went through it too.”