CHUGWATER, WYOMING

is a way of life in Wyoming; locals like to mention it has the population density of outer Mongolia. “We very regularly don’t come into contact with people for days,” says Tara Westerman, who lives on a cattle ranch with her husband, Jeremy (left), and three sons. But the Westermans were exposed to the virus at a birthday party in Denver. “We were very responsible and haven’t gone anywhere,” she says. “When we told people we were sick and might have it, everyone would say, ‘No, it’s probably just a cold or flu,’ ” says Jeremy. “And I was like, ‘No, it’s probably the worldwide pandemic.’ ”

CANDLER,

NORTH CAROLINA

a truck stop outside Asheville were “taking precautions,” but others weren’t too worried about contracting COVID-19. “I lived through Vietnam and 23 years of military service,” said Jack Carrow as he and Gerry Stanton took a break to have lunch (top). Carrow has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, making the risks associated with COVID-19 much higher for him. But many truckers take heart in the solitary nature of their work. “We are the epitome of social distancing,” says Ronnie Freeman (above). “This is a lonely lifestyle. We’re not gonna get the virus. We’re immune.”