By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
The media is rushing to cover all angles of the worldwide
pandemic, and a lot of attention has been paid to health care workers, and rightfully so. However, the relentless efforts of other essential workers, such
truck drivers, have widely gone unrecognized.
As a moving company, we appreciate that professional
drivers are on the front lines, working around the clock to transport crucial
goods across the country to our communities and to our homes. But, has anyone
stopped for a moment to ask the truck drivers how they are faring? Are they
able to find much needed supplies? Are restaurants open and showers available? What
other challenges are these key workers facing?
This week, we set out to find the answers to
those questions and more. We polled our very
own fleet of household goods drivers and are sharing some of their candid
responses.
Business as Usual?
It likely comes as no huge surprise that the vast
majority of our drivers confirmed that that not only is customer demeanor different
now with some customers being “worried” and “anxious”, but they also verified
that the way they do their jobs has changed over the last few weeks with drivers
noting that they are “doing elbow bumps instead of handshakes” and that “all
around the country, not just customers, but everyone keeps their distance now”. Drivers, crews and customers alike are effectively
and actively practicing social distancing.
Essential Items for Essential Workers
Dining rooms around the nation have closed to “flatten
the curve”, and consumers have
stockpiled certain supplies, such as toilet paper, soap and hand sanitizer,
leaving none on the shelves in many stores.
Our drivers noted that they are experiencing some difficulties finding
necessities and have had to think outside of the box a little when it comes to food
and antibacterial products. One driver reported,
“There is no sanitizer anywhere. I bought
some wipes, cleaning spray and rubbing alcohol.” Drivers have been using their ingenuity when it
comes to food, as well, with one explaining that he “…has a crock pot in the
truck so food isn’t a problem”. While others have resorted to ordering from “Uber
Eats and Grub Hub”, as going though a drive-thru isn’t an option in a
semi-truck and most drive-thrus don’t allow walk up ordering.
When asked about the biggest challenges that they are faced with
currently, safety was in the forefront of everyone’s mind. As one driver put it,
he just wants “to be safe and keep my customers safe”. Another driver might
have summed it up best when he said, “I’m certain this is just the beginning.
It will only get worse. But I still plan on being out here. So, let’s keep
rolling and be safe.”
Thus, take a moment and acknowledge the truck drivers who haven’t been
the topic of numerous frontline worker articles, but who keep our world moving efficiently,
even amid unparalleled circumstances. They are putting in grueling hours away
from their homes and risking possible exposure to COVID-19 because, publicized
or not, they are essential.
To all the truck drivers out there…. Thank You!
