Millis OTR journal

The one I was at was really crowded, I hope this is an improvement.

 

I'm down south and got some blank looks when I asked if they were using winter fuel or winter blend when I was getting fuel. Is there some other term that's more common down there?

 

No different term for it there cuz if you're in the south they dont have it.

 

The one I went to is a Macy’s warehouse with tons of open spots.

 

This isn’t a pro mask anti mask post. Currently mask wearing is a choice, I chose to wear a mask. If someone doesn’t wear a mask so be it.
Well anyway before I picked up my current student brought up the mask wearing. Guy said he wore a mask 100% of the time when out and about. Guy has been good about it, until today.

We stopped at Cartersville to get some backing practice in before our delivery tomorrow morning. For some reason he goes into terminal maskless. In there for about 45 minutes or so, talking to some people. As everyone more or less knows practically everyone in the terminals is maskless, mechanics, drivers and anyone else who has a reason to be there. If Covid is out and about terminal air is probably where one will get it. Practically all of our customers I go to require masks and every truck stop I seem to go to requires masks. So I wear a mask in terminals to go shower or use restroom.

Anyway sort of torn, feel I should boot the guy in the morning. If he picked up Covid he isn’t yet contagious but in a few days he will be shedding that virus 2 feet away from me in the cab.

I’m the guys second trainer first one was sort of a douche. So there is that to consider. Me getting blackballed by training dept is probably the only reason I’m doubting what I want to do.

 

Yeah, it's a dummy move on his part. I guess it all depends on how much it goes against your stance. You could give him another chance, and let him know that the next time he's out.

 

Think about it..if the numbers are going up as they claim with all the mask wearing...then obviously masks don’t work..

 

I think the bigger problem is too many people not doing that along with following the other guidelines. Everywhere I go that is a real hotspot has one thing in common. Very few wearing a mask (or wearing a good one correctly) and a few of that group looking at me funny because I am.

When I go places that aren't having as much of a problem right now I see the vast majority of people following the mask protocol. Anecdotal but in my opinion telling. It also involves more than just wearing a mask and we all know all the stuff we aren't suppose to be doing right now. The mask is just one part of this whole thing but it is the most visible and for a reason I won't get into here, the most controversial.

Nothing is a 100%. You still can die in a car accident while wearing a seat belt or driving the speed limit. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do those things for your own safety, the safety of others, and because it is the law. But consistently not doing things you should be eventually catches up with you.

 

Well said John. The data clearly shows what works and what doesn't, and the areas starting to ration hospital beds due to ability now are becoming bigger. It's not surprising where they're located either.

I wonder how bad things are going to get for the country and this industry in the next year due to Covid19. The typical driver has several predisposing factors (age, male sex, smoking, obesity, poor diet and exercise) before taking into account whatever choices they make about minimizing their risk for contracting Covid19, I'm surprised more aren't retiring to minimize their risk. I've heard enough of them say they could retire now if they wanted to, why keep working in an already risky occupation if you're just increasing your odds of dieing sooner? I know I'm having a harder time answering that question these days, and things are just going to get worse this winter.

 

Just saw my check stub for last week, somehow I got 3600 miles without realizing I was driving my butt off.