Truckers worried about exposure to COVID-19 while at work

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Truckers are among the many deemed essential workers during the pandemic and these workers are seeing changes to their industry because of it.

Locally, the trucking industry is transporting fewer automotive parts since the Corvette plant is not manufacturing automobiles

Instead, truckers are seeing a surge in medical supplies, water and non-perishable food deliveries.

Many truckers are still working similar days and similar hours as they were before the outbreak.

Even though their daily routine remains the same, some truck drivers are refusing certain routes due to health concerns, just like Charles Sheppard, a trucker for Taz Trucking in Bowling Green.

“My day is pretty much the same as every day other than the fact that I have to be careful around people. I don’t interchange with people anymore. I stay away from them, but I do my job,” said Sheppard.

Sheppard is 61-year-old cancer survivor with COPD and diabetes.

“I caught pneumonia twice while I was at home and one time it killed me and they had to revive me,” said Sheppard.

COVID-19 could easily kill him.

“I know I won’t make it. There ain’t no maybe to it,” said Sheppard.

Amira Zukic, the owner of Taz Trucking, is concerned about her drivers’ safety.

“I think the hardest part is for our drivers when they have to get out there in such a dangerous environment and expect to do their business even harder than they did it before,” said Zukic.

Sheppard said he’s even had to turn down deliveries recently out of concern for his own safety.

“The fear factor for me is high in those areas because there is a lot of that sickness going on up there and I don’t feel safe going in that area and the company understands and they help me and they don’t send me to them kind of places,” said Sheppard.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has temporarily suspended weigh station stops and weight restrictions on trucks hauling essential supplies.