Braving the cold: Local workers face extreme conditions to serve the community

Temperatures in the metro may have been in the teens on Wednesday, but with the wind chill, they feel well below zero. For those working outside, frostbite can set in quickly, so extra precautions are essential. While many people stayed indoors to avoid the brutal cold, a few dedicated individuals continued to work despite the harsh conditions.

Layering up and keeping exposed skin covered is key for those braving the chill. Driving around on Wednesday, it was pretty much a ghost town, with snow and ice blanketing the streets, but a few people were out working, including Laquan Patterson, a local mail carrier.

Despite the freezing temperatures, Patterson knows how to stay warm. "It's a bit cold," he says, but he relies on hand warmers and gloves. He also warms up in his truck during resets.

"I have to get out and park," Patterson explains, as he moves from house to house, delivering mail through the icy streets. "We're here to deliver for you," he adds, embodying the postal service's unofficial motto to brave the elements, rain, sleet, or snow.

Meanwhile, Shane Pratt, Executive Director of the North Side YMCA, was also out in the cold, to make sure the sidewalks are safe for customers. After the bad weather forced the YMCA to close its doors the past two days, Pratt and his team are braving the chill to spread ice melt and clear the sidewalks.

“Just trying to get the high-traffic areas,” Pratt said. “Probably had about a half inch to an inch of snow on top of it, but there's ice underneath it."

While most YMCA locations are closed unless you have a 24/7 access pass, Pratt and his team are working hard to ensure the facility returns to normal soon.