Well, here we are, all isolated and distanced in 2020. The pandemic that is Covid-19 has taken hold of our lives in one way or another. It is both my proudest moment in transportation and my most disappointed moment in transportation.
I’m fiercely proud of the many companies and drivers that are forging on and serving their country by delivering the much needed goods that stock our grocery stores. I’m proud of the sacrifice they are making by not being with their families in this scary time.
I’m disappointed in the treatment the drivers are receiving on the road. Closed truck stops, no parking for rest time, no access to food (trucks don’t fit in drive thru’s) and being treated with little respect.
I’m proud of the individuals that are rallying for the drivers by offering free meals and who are going out of their way to show their respect.
I’m disappointed in the slow response from our insurer partners to offer relief of premiums in some form or manner.
I’m proud of my Brokerage who chose to close and have everyone work form home before it was strongly suggested and then we were deemed an essential service.
I’m less disappointed with some of our insurer partners now. While I was writing this, two of them send formal statements advising they are providing parked rate relief! Way to go Insurers!! That is how fast things are unfolding during this situation.
I’m so very proud of my clients. They deal with so many things in a day and now they have to deal with this. Although they are an essential service there are many drivers that are afraid to deliver freight and have the chance of becoming infected. Although they are exempt from self isolation on their return to Canada, they cannot take the chance of infecting their families and come back for their reset in hotels, by themselves. That’s just too much for some of them. And for the ones who are doing it, they are true heroes.
This is just so unprecedented and so serious and so many are unsure of rules that change not only daily, but hourly. I cannot tell you how it makes me feel to see so many in our industry sacrificing and, pardon the pun, going the extra mile.
Let’s not forget about the operations and support staff at the trucking companies. Social distancing and hand washing and practicing all the safety measures they are day in and day out, to keep the fleet running. These guys are my heroes too.
I believe in our country, I believe in our industry and I believe we will come out of this stronger and smarter. I hope everyone stays stay and healthy and that we all see the other side of this soon!