Empty Roads, Purposeful Work
The COVID -19 pandemic has halted work. Halted production. Halted travel. Empty roads canvas our nation with one exception. “Essential Workers.” These are the people deemed imperative to continue their work in order to keep our critical infrastructure from collapsing. From carrying health care supplies and pharmaceuticals, to delivering produce and dry goods, the trucking industry is living up to its designation as “the lifeblood of the US economy.” Truck drivers are facing the same unprecedented times as the rest of America, but they continue to run their routes without hesitation.
At Storey, we are adapting to the new normal but can’t help but miss the in-person interaction. We long for the day that we once again can greet our drivers with a hug and a handshake. One thing that hasn’t halted though are the stories from the road. Our drivers are witnessing first hand, the effects on our nation that they only can articulate.
Christy and Chuck Langer, along with their dog Mara, have been team drivers with Storey for almost a year. This past month has been enlightening for them to say the least. They are trying to stay “balanced” both mentally and physically. Getting carried away with the sensationalism seems almost easier to prevent considering they are “isolated” in their truck. “There’s no instruction manual for this,” Chuck says, “but being together as a team, along with our strong faith makes anything tolerable… United we stand!” They stay up to date on the changing regulations per state through regular communication from the Storey Trucking dispatch team and accessing the CDC website. They also are able to regularly keep in touch and check on their family through Facetime and text.
The Langers typically work out and shower at Planet Fitness locations across the country, but since the gyms have had to close, the couple has come up with creative ways to continue to stay healthy and active on the road. They appreciate that the varying landscapes along their routes provide a unique and natural playground for exercise. They also take advantage of rest stops to get out and stretch or utilize items they can fit in the truck like hand weights, kettlebells, and jump ropes. As for keeping up with simple hygiene, they are following tips from dispatch on how to avoid germs when out of the truck and they also now have access to hand sanitizer, cleaning spray and masks provided by Storey.
The most difficult adjustment for the Langers has been accessing everyday supplies along the road. Stores have shortened operating hours, essential items like toilet paper are scarce and food selection is minimal. It makes the job seem so much more important knowing that the same stores are waiting on them to deliver such supplies. They also greatly miss their regular dine-in restaurants and church services. They have started to see how the open road truly does exhibit a ghost town mentality.
When asked about some of the not so pleasant things they have seen, they acknowledge the lack of supplies and that some people are hoarding supplies when they do find them. They wonder “whatever happened to the ‘Golden Rule,’ to treat others the way you would like to be treated?” Even with some of the negative things they have witnessed, they can speak to the good that is inherently within the majority of people. “Regardless of the circumstances,” they say, “people DO care.” They see the commitment across this country through every level of employee, the government and communities coming together. “We have so much to be thankful for,” they say. “We live in the best country on Earth.”
It is difficult to accept how quickly this virus has changed everyone’s daily life, but for essential workers like our drivers, their commitment and respect for their job is what keeps them on the road. “Our job as drivers hasn’t changed,” the Langers say. “Support from our operations team, safety and maintenance have remained strong and consistent.” The Langers say that their “gratitude for being able and capable to work is greater today than ever before.” Once life gets back to the new “normal,” they are most looking forward to rescheduling a trip to Mexico that they had to cancel in late March.
The couple has a few suggestions for other drivers navigating this time. “Respect the situation and take heed to the warnings and recommendations from trusted sources.” They continue, “take pride in what you do and be of service to those around you.” As a reminder, they want their fellow drivers to remember that this, too, shall pass.