I think it's safe to say we all have experienced some form of set back during this covid crisis. Front line workers have it hard. I will not disagree there. But i will point out that truck drivers are having a hell of a time. The amount of time we spent on the road, away from home has in many cases increased. Many of us or basically living in our trucks. Which are less equipped than a jail cell though about the same size. Granted it matters is probably more comfortable but the jail cell has a flushable toilet. We are confined to this small spaces to drive out 11+ hour shifts and then are told to remain in them for our entire 10 hours off. Driver lounges are truck stops are closed. I'm door dining is closed. While states are letting prisoners out of jail we are being told to eat drink and sleep in our jail cells. Now the saving grace is the view from my jail cell window.
Yesterday I stopped in Montana to get food for lunch. Put on my mask and went inside. Got yelled at by a guy without a mask. But before you get mad let me explain the whole situation. He got done talking about me confirming and following orders and yada yada and i said can I say something. He said sure and he looked him in the eyes and i said i agree with you. That left him a bit dumb founded. I agree, i don't think they can make laws that mandate we wear masks. But that's not why I wear it. I wear it because I'm a truck driver. I travel to all the hot spots. I am exposed to this crap more than you probably ever will be. I wear my mask so if I've caught it and come to your city and i stop for fuel or to get food i don't want to be the reason you or anyone you knows catches it. After a about a minute he looks at me and says thank you. You are one of the real hero's. And i said, I'm no hero. I'm just lucky enough to still have a job.
So much has changed but we are still hanging on. I know one thing is for sure, when we are finally allowed to open up again we won't have as many restaurants. Most stores will be the big chains. Gone are the days of small businesses. Big chains finally found a way to destroy them. Now I'm not saying it's big businesses fault the small guys are dying. I'm just saying they found a way to out survive them. Which is really sad.
Keep surviving guys and gals. We will will make it through this. And when we do, we will be stronger and wiser.
I hope it gets over soon I'm tired of quarantining in my truck. I haven't hugged a female in...... I've lost track but it's been months and months and months and months.