If the shelves in your grocery store have anything on them, after almost a month of “lockdown,” you can thank a truck driver. During the coronavirus crisis, they might be the most unsung heroes in the country and the world right now.
Their work is considered essential, which it is, because if they weren’t trucking, our shelter-in-place lives would not only be less comfortable, we wouldn’t even have basic necessities. Hospitals would not have the supplies they need to treat coronavirus patients or anyone else.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018 there were almost 2 million truck drivers working in the US. They average about $21 per hour or around $50,000 a year. The trucking industry, in 2019, was worth $700 billion.
These drivers move over 71% of all freight in the country, and without them, the country would not be able to function. They are the reason the almost nationwide lockdown isn’t interrupting our supply chain in a crippling way. Many regulations have been lifted to help truckers get essential goods, like food and medical supplies, to go where they need to go.
According to the Sacramento Bee:
Truckers bringing medical supplies to hospitals are clearly exempt from a long list of restrictions, as are food deliveries. So are truckers carrying cattle. Livestock are a “precursor” to food, and the government is keeping the food production chain, from farm to market, open.
These truckers are vital, just as vital as medical personnel in getting the country through the coronavirus crisis and lockdown. Indeed, the hospitals are also dependent on trucking to get the essentials they need to treat the victims of the virus.
Truck drivers risk getting coronavirus
Many truck drivers fall into risk categories for the coronavirus.
From the Trucker’s Report:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers anywhere from two to five times as likely to experience high isk factors.
- Trucker obesity rate (69%) vs American average (31%)
- Trucker morbid obesity rate (17%) vs American average (7%)
- Truckers who regularly smoke cigarettes (51%) vs American average (10%)
- Truckers with Diabetes (14%) vs American average (7%)
- Truckers without health insurance (38%) vs American average (17%)
- Trucker average age (55 years old) vs American average (38.2 years old)
If truckers think they have coronavirus it is hard for them to get tested. It is also hard for them to get home if they are sick.
Essential services missing
In spite of their importance, truckers are finding it difficult to get essential services while they do their important work.
Truckers are facing many obstacles. More and more truck stops are closed, making it harder to fuel up and use a restroom. Many highway rest stops have also been closed, depriving truckers of safe places to rest. Some drivers have quit driving during the lockdown to avoid the virus.
So, be thankful for the truckers when you see the milk, cheese, toilet paper and everything else on the shelves at your stores.
You can meet a few of the truckers in this video below:
1,362 Responses
Very good post! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
Good article. I’m experiencing many of these issues as well..
Awesome article.|
Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing site!|
Hey! This post could not be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!|
Utterly indited content , regards for selective information .
Great write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
obviously like your web-site but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth on the other hand I will definitely come again again.
There is definately a lot to learn about this issue. I like all of the points you’ve made.
Good day! I just want to give you a big thumbs up for your great info you have got right here on this post. I will be coming back to your site for more soon.
Excellent website. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks to your effort!
If you would like to take a good deal from this article then you have to apply such strategies to your won weblog.|
Amazing! Its truly amazing post, I have got much clear idea on the topic of from this piece of writing.|
Hey there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Exceptional blog and outstanding design and style.|
I am really inspired with your writing abilities and also with the layout in your weblog. Is that this a paid theme or did you customize it your self? Anyway stay up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to peer a great weblog like this one these days..
I am continuously browsing online for ideas that can facilitate me. Thank you!
I like this post, enjoyed this one thank you for putting up. “No man is wise enough by himself.” by Titus Maccius Plautus.
This is my first time visit at here and i am actually happy to read everthing at alone place.|
Excellent way of telling, and pleasant paragraph to take data about my presentation topic, which i am going to present in school.|
very nice publish, i certainly love this web site, keep on it
Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!
I cling on to listening to the reports talk about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i get some?
Right now it looks like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff prior to and you’re simply extremely great. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which wherein you say it. You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for to stay it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is really a great web site.|
Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you
Hello, i feel that i noticed you visited my web site so i came to go back the desire?.I am trying to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to make use of some of your ideas!!|
Can I simply say what a relief to find somebody who really knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You positively know tips on how to deliver an issue to mild and make it important. More people must learn this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant imagine youre no more common since you definitely have the gift.
Terrific work! This is the type of information that are meant to be shared across the internet. Shame on Google for now not positioning this put up upper! Come on over and consult with my site . Thank you =)|
Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.|
bookmarked!!, I really like your site!|
Awesome blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. Thanks a lot
Wonderful site you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
What’s up to every body, it’s my first visit of this webpage; this website carries awesome and genuinely good data in support of readers.|
I went over this internet site and I believe you have a lot of fantastic info, saved to fav (:.
This page definitely has all of the info I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask. |
Im impressed, I need to say. Really hardly ever do I encounter a blog thats both educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you’ve got hit the nail on the head. Your concept is excellent; the issue is one thing that not sufficient people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very glad that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for something relating to this.
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
My relatives every time say that I am killing my time here at web, but I know I am getting experience daily by reading thes nice articles.|
It is not my first time to pay a quick visit this web site, i am browsing this site dailly and get fastidious information from here daily.|
Hello, i think that i noticed you visited my weblog thus i got here to return the desire?.I am trying to in finding issues to enhance my web site!I suppose its adequate to make use of a few of your ideas!!|