TULSA, Okla. — A nationwide truck driver shortage mixed with mobs of people flooding grocery stores means truckers are crossing the country nonstop. Some have not seen their families for months, as their loved ones sit by the phone for any update.
Scott Brown is one of those drivers, and has been for nearly two years. Angie Brown and their two kids are used to him being on the road, but not like this.
Usually, Scott is home for three days every month. His most recent visit with his family was supposed to be Saturday, but he was stuck in Colorado. Now, he is en route to California from Nebraska.
“I think about my family. I have a family and we have bills to pay, and it’s my job to take care of my family," Scott said. "As far as I’m concerned there’s no risk I won’t take for them.”
That risk includes stopping in areas where he may not be able to find open places for food, and he could potentially contract COVID-19.
“I don’t know if I’ve been exposed. COVID-19 is one of those things where you could be a carrier and not even know it," Scott said. "That’s what’s scary for us.”
Angie says she and her daughters haven't seen Scott in two months. All the while, she’s heard stories of semis being broken into for their contents, and drivers making trip after trip across the country.
"It’s just mind-boggling how everything can go from normal to just total chaos,” Angie said.
Scott will text Angie when he picks up a new load, and updates his family whenever he crosses into a new state. However, he's not able to call home every day, and video calls are few and far between.
Both Scott and his family are willing to continue making sacrifices, and hope the demand settles back to normal soon so he can turn his truck home.
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