Retired NASCAR driver Danica Patrick had to race back to the U.S. as the coronavirus pandemic began to spread. 

Patrick and her partner, NFL star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, were vacationing in Peru when the coronavirus pandemic began to escalate and, like many Americans overseas, they had to rush back before the South American nation -- including its airports -- started shutting down.

“Whenever you’re on vacation you’re not really expecting to have to go home in an emergency and, to be honest, it really accelerated when we were there,” Patrick said. “We got back just in time, and if we hadn’t gotten back, we would be down there for, I’m sure, a month or two.”

The sports world, along with the rest of the world, has been halted by stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The retired racecar driver said the time at home has shown how much people enjoy having a community around them.

“I recognize, in all of this going on, that we yearn for interaction. For human interaction, for contact, for community. So, I don’t think there will never be a time where communities have not come together,” Patrick said. 

As the brand ambassador for, and investor in, Beam CBD, Patrick suggested cannabidiol products may be able help during this stressful time and namechecked one of her favorite products called Dream, a powder blend she uses to help her sleep during her travels. 

“I was going from Paris to LAX on a direct flight, which is a really long flight, and I took the Dream product,” she said. “I took the individual packet, and I put hot water in it, and I fell asleep for eight hours.” 

Share:
More In Culture
Dorsey, Musk Express Skepticism Over Blockchain-based Web3
Although still early in development, blockchain technology, Web3, also known as Web 3.0 has been getting a lot of attention from some top tech names lately. Web3 is based on blockchain technology, which powers NFT’s and cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. With Web3, users would ideally control their own data, rather than have it be controlled by a few large companies. But, Tesla CEO Elon musk isn't buying into Web3 just yet, tweeting over the weekend that the decentralized iteration of the internet seems more like a marketing "buzzword" right now than reality. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey also chiming in to the conversation, expressing doubt over whether or not Web3 would actually be decentralized if ownership still belonged to venture capital firms. Parker McCurley, co-founder & CEO of Decent Labs explains the significance of Web3 catching the eye of the tech giants, and what Web3 could mean for the future of the internet.
An Omicron Christmas, Student Loans & Love, Hate, Ate
Carlo and Baker cover the heartening news on the Covid front ahead of the holiday, plus President Biden punting student loan repayments again, a new space telescope and Love, Hate, Ate: Christmas Eve Eve Edition!
Semiconductor Industry Warns Shortage Could Last Deep Into 2022
This year's worldwide semiconductor shortage limited the supply of everything from new cars to smartphones; and now, many in the chip industry expect the shortage to continue deep into 2022, and maybe even 2023. Semiconductor senior research analyst for Robert W. Baird & Co., Tristan Gerra, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Nomi Health Closes $110 Million to Further Scale Its Direct Healthcare Model Nationwide
Direct health care company Nomi Health recently raised $110 million in a Series A round. Nomi Health lets public and private organizations directly purchase healthcare at reduced costs, and pay providers in real-time. It also delivers healthcare directly to under-served communities via its fleet of mobile care units, which the company says is the largest in the country. Nomi Health says its mission is to improve the health care experience for all Americans. Nomi Health CEO Mark Newman joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Revolt and Target Create New Pitch Series for Black Entrepreneurs
A new series is looking to advance Black founders who have disruptive ideas and companies. 'Bet on Black' is a new series that allows black entrepreneurs to pitch their businesses in the hopes of securing $200,000 in funding. Revolt TV and Target teamed up to create the show. Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt, joins Cheddar News to discuss.
Load More