Truck driver talks changes since COVID-19 outbreak

RICHLAND - Due to schools and businesses being shut down fewer packages are being shipped. However, a local truck driver said he still has work to do, but many changes have come into play.

'I drove through Hurricane Sandy in New York City but that was the biggest deal I've ever had to drive through since this,” said Brian Stair, a driver for Panama Transfer in Richland.

Stair has been driving a truck for about 10 years and said he has never experienced anything like this.

On a normal day, he would wake up at about 5:30 a.m. and work until dinner time, stopping at various schools, grocery store distribution centers and farms to drop off product.

'It's a lot of stop and go in all of the little towns on the southeast side of the state,” he said.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the day is not as busy, he said.

'Today is Monday and it's usually a busy day but I'm empty right now,” he said, explaining he only had six drop-offs before he broke for lunch. 'A lot of places that we deliver to refuse to let us inside. We have to wait outside and some places take our temperature before they let us in to their facilities.”

Fewer drop-offs has also resulted in fewer hours. Stair said it has not been too bad for him and his weeks have gone from about 60 hours down to 50.

'Even though my hours have cut a little bit, I'm still working everyday and there still is stuff for me to do,” he said.

Despite the risk, Stair said he does not have a great deal of personal concern because he feels he has taken the appropriate steps to stay healthy. Eating right, washing hands and maintaining distance has helped, he said. Keeping a positive outlook and not letting it defeat him is another step he has taken.

'We're going to get over this eventually and we're going to be a strong country again,” he said.