What It's Like to be a Truck Driver During COVID-19 with Deiryon Nicholson
There are over 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S, according to the census, and if they were to stop running for just even a day, our entire economy would take a hit that would take a while to recover from. Although truck drivers are a vital part of our society, most every day drivers don’t give truckers the respect that they deserve while on the road.
But, now with society on hold, truck drivers have become essential workers and are finally getting the recognition that they deserve. Truck driver and owner of the semi company Xecutive Way Transportation LLC., Deiryon Nicholson has been working nonstop to get people the stuff that they need, such as produce and toiletries.
“Truck drivers are the most important piece of the country,” next to healthcare workers said Nicholson. “Everything that you have comes from a truck.”
Nicholson transports a variety of things, but one of his most important transports is produce from Roundy’s. He drives from Milwaukee to Oconomowoc to different parts of Wisconsin and Illinois, ensuring that two states don’t go hungry. On a short day, Nicholson will drive six to eight hours, but on a long day, his drives can last up to 11 hours.
For a short trip, it can cost Nicholson $251 just to fill up and according to him, he spends $600-$800 a week on fuel for his truck.
Deiryon Nicholson. (Picture by Nyesha Stone)
COVID-19 is showing the world what truck drivers already knew: they keep our economy going.
“I had a couple people tell me that they appreciate me...it was weird,” he said. “They’re actually seeing the blue-collar people who actually matter.”
Even though truck drivers are doing their part, they are also putting themselves at risk every time they pick up or drop off a load. While on the job, Nicholson can’t help but to encounter a hundred different things that range from people to truck loads, which all can contain the virus.
Just like other essential workers, Nicholson would like to see him, and his fellow truck drivers, receive essential pay.
No matter how many hours he spends driving, Nicholson loves the freedom of the road. He loves his 70-hour work week and can’t go more than a few days without driving his truck.
“Trucking is a gift from God,” Nicholson said. “You get to help move the country and you get to earn an honest living.”
So, the next time you think about cutting off a truck driver, just move over.