What Does A Quarantine Due To Coronavirus Mean For Truckers?

Illinois has allowed so many "important" businesses to remain open that only 2 of our customers ended up closing. Luckily As of now the mandatory shut down isn't as ugly as we thought it was going to be.

That's good, atleast some people will still be able to work. Panic shopping here has also calmed. Yesterday and today we were back to needing people to take the day off. I'm sure once more "breaking news" comes out about it we'll be back to working alot.

A couple days ago I mentioned how this panic is changing funerals. Work has a policy that if you travel out of state or the country you're likely going to self quarantine 14 days after you get back before returning to work. It seems like BS given that we're already driving all over the region. It is what it is. The funeral homes/ churches in SW MN are also not allowing more than 10 people at the service including the pastor while maintaining 8 to 10 feet between each other. It put me in a terrible position of do I travel 12 hours round trip for a 1 hour service that we're not even allowed to comfort each other. The funeral home suggested somebody just video chat me the service. Apparently that is what's becoming normal. My mom and aunt have bought into hype and requested flowers not be sent due to virus concerns so instead my company will be sending a sympathy card. My employer is atleast allowing me to split my bereavement pay to 10 hours tomorrow and the other 30 at the end of April when we plan to have a celebration of life party. I seen on the news that weddings are also being largely impacted. As if many brides needed anything else to get them stressed out at that time

I seen on the news that weddings are also being largely impacted.

Almost all of my extended family has been laid off. My cousin's wedding has been postponed. No one knows if the high schoolers will get to go to their prom, so I know of one family that hosted an impromptu prom before the quarantine. The summer Olympics has been postponed.

Quick comparison: Flu vs Coronavirus in the United States:

• Flu
• Coronavirus
• Infected
• 46,000,000
• 43,000
• Hospitalized
• 550,000
• 3,000
• Dead
• 41,000
• 590

• Flu: 46,000,000 infected - 550,000 hospitalized - 41,000 dead
• Coronavirus: 43,000 infected - 3,000 hospitalized - 590 dead

You can see why I don't believe the hype. I don't listen to politicians, I look at the facts. They tell two wildly different stories.

Trump wants the U.S. open for business by Easter (April 12th)

“We’re opening up this incredible country. Because we have to do that. I would love to have it open by Easter,” Trump said.

“I would love to have that. It’s such an important day for other reasons, but I’d love to make it an important day for this. I would love to have the country opened up, and rarin’ to go by Easter.”

Here's a link I found that feeds my hyper-obsessed need for the most current data on the Coronavirus:

Real Time COVID 19 Data

There is also some good information regarding incubation period, curves, etc. for the data geeks.

I dont know but my thinking would be that drivers are some of the busiest people out there, especially if you are running freight for supermarkets or retail chains. People are mass buying and the stores cannot keep product stocked fast enough. Seems truckers would be the busiest people out there.

I think one issue I can think of is how are you guys fed on the road since the restaurants are closed? I guess if you have refrigeration in the vehicle many of you are living on ham and peanut butter sandwiches. What about coffee, I guess you guys can drink instant coffee.

One thing I guess is nice is that there isnt much traffic now so the runs are a lot faster with less hazards and maybe less interference with cops since the cops now have other concerns and dont want to pull people over unless it is something serious. But again, I really do not know.

I live abroad and want to get into trucking but this virus (would like to use four letter words but am a newbie here) seems to have shuttered this for awhile. But it seems to be anyone with an A license who wants to get out there, can. I wish I knew about this virus a year ago, I would have gotten my license.

I dont know but my thinking would be that drivers are some of the busiest people out there, especially if you are running freight for supermarkets or retail chains. People are mass buying and the stores cannot keep product stocked fast enough. Seems truckers would be the busiest people out there.

I think one issue I can think of is how are you guys fed on the road since the restaurants are closed? I guess if you have refrigeration in the vehicle many of you are living on ham and peanut butter sandwiches. What about coffee, I guess you guys can drink instant coffee.

One thing I guess is nice is that there isnt much traffic now so the runs are a lot faster with less hazards and maybe less interference with cops since the cops now have other concerns and dont want to pull people over unless it is something serious. But again, I really do not know.

I live abroad and want to get into trucking but this virus (would like to use four letter words but am a newbie here) seems to have shuttered this for awhile. But it seems to be anyone with an A license who wants to get out there, can. I wish I knew about this virus a year ago, I would have gotten my license.

Just finished waffles (made from mix) on truck. Coffee with almond milk just poured.

But others are also taking note of the issue...

Google "Feed The Truckers"... Young boy uses his $100 allowance to feed truckers...

News says they are feeding truckers at the #212 exit today here in Birmingham, AL.

We have a refrigerator, electronic cooler, APU , TV, microwave, and a host of appliances onboard.

Others not so lucky...

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

DWI:

Driving While Intoxicated

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

We were offered a load to the Bronx last week. Trainer Brian told them "I didn't leave anything in the Bronx!"

We would be on 14-day self quarantine if we took it!

Here's some interesting information about the deaths from coronavirus in Italy, the hardest-hit country in the world:

Italy has an ageing population. The average age of those who have died is 79.5 years according to the Ministry of Health, who also stated that over 99% had at least one pre-existing health condition.

So the average person who died was 80 years old and was already sick. These facts kind of slip through the cracks in the news coverage it seems.

OD is giving all full time employees a $500 bonus and all part time employees $250 bonus for out continued efforts during this time.

JB Hunt is also doing a one-time $500 bonus for their drivers.