Latina Young, an Uber driver in Los Angeles, has been driving for over 5 years and has built up a 4.92-star rating in that time.
Earlier this month, Young had a rider with a persistent cough who joked that "everyone has coronavirus." Within a week, Young herself started experiencing symptoms, and visited a doctor who advised her to self-isolate for two weeks.
In messages back and forth with Uber reviewed by Business Insider, Young attached the letter from her doctor and requested that Uber provide two weeks of sick pay the company had publicly promised. Instead, she received a generic message informing her that her account had been suspended for 14 days without further explanation.
"I have been driving during this crisis suffering with long hours and making less than $500 a week," Young said. "No financial assistance, no explanation."
Young's experience fits a broader pattern described by Uber drivers who have been unable to get sick pay.