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
Lol, My laptop died while I was checking this site previous time I was here. And for the last two days I have been searching for this weblog, so glad I came across it again!
Only wanna tell that this is extremely helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
I like this web blog so much, saved to my bookmarks. “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” by Dorothy Parker.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
This is a great blog.
I love reading your site.
Great news once again!
This is a great blog.
Wonderful web site. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
Hello there, I found your blog by way of Google even as looking for a similar subject, your website got here up, it seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
There is definately a great deal to know about this topic. I really like all the points you’ve made.
After examine a number of of the weblog posts in your website now, and I truly like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site record and will probably be checking again soon. Pls check out my web site as properly and let me know what you think.
Your style is so unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.
Hi there! This article could not be written any better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I’ll send this article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. Thank you for sharing!|
Traveling became almost taboo during this pandemic.
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t fail me just as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I really believed you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you can fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to check out new things you post…|
Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.|
Simply wish to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is just excellent and that i can think you are knowledgeable on this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to take hold of your RSS feed to stay updated with imminent post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please continue the gratifying work.
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I am hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a good example of it.
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others such as you aided me.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.|
I used to be able to find good information from your blog articles.|
Wonderful article! That is the kind of info that are meant to be shared across the web. Disgrace on Google for not positioning this put up higher! Come on over and consult with my site . Thanks =)|
Amazing blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Bless you!
I have been browsing on-line more than three hours as of late, yet I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It is lovely value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the net will likely be a lot more helpful than ever before.
I¡¦m now not positive where you are getting your information, however good topic. I must spend a while finding out more or figuring out more. Thank you for magnificent information I was in search of this information for my mission.
There is apparently a bunch to realize about this. I consider you made some good points in features also.
Hi there, I found your blog by way of Google even as searching for a similar topic, your site came up, it seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely excellent. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great website.|
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written much better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I most certainly will send this article to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read. Thanks for sharing!
I feel that is among the such a lot important info for me. And i’m glad studying your article. However should observation on few common things, The site style is ideal, the articles is in point of fact nice : D. Excellent process, cheers|
It’s going to be ending of mine day, however before end I am reading this impressive article to increase my know-how.|
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
This is the right webpage for anyone who really wants to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been discussed for years. Great stuff, just excellent!
Verdammt beeindruckende Dinge hier. Ich bin sehr froh, Ihren Artikelposten zu sehen. Vielen Dank und ich freue mich darauf, Sie zu kontaktieren. Würden Sie mir freundlicherweise eine E-Mail schicken?
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog post. Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…