medical support group cofounder and long-haul trucker Bob Stanton helped put together the following “decision tree” of sorts in hopes of assisting any driver faced with a decision about just how to proceed if symptoms of the novel contagion present themselves on the road. Consult for a wealth of resources and the most up-to-date information, as it’s changing rapidly.
First carefully review the ; keep in mind mild symptoms are shared by different common ailments, from common colds to influenza.
IMPORTANT AT ANY POINT IN SELF-EVALUATION: If you develop any of the following emergency warning signs for COVID-19 complications, as advised by the CDC, get medical attention immediately:
In such a case, call 9-1-1 and warn operators you have potential COVID-19 symptoms so first responders can have protective equipment ready.
A few avenues to telehealth consults, should you need:
Head home? | If you’re close enough to get home, do so and get tested, and not just for the obvious reasons. You’ll need to stay wherever you’re tested for days to wait for the results of the test. If the test is positive, you will be there at least seven days (including at least three days with no fever without use of fever reducers, according to CDC guidelines for home care) or until you have two negative tests.
Consider before making this decision, at once: Are there loved ones at home with health conditions that would make them extremely susceptible to COVID? For example, being on chemotherapy or having chronic respiratory conditions like COPD or others discussed on the CDC website.
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Get tested on the road? | Use access to a tele-consult to locate an appropriate testing site if you are too remote to safely make it home. Long-term reserved parking is available in a variety of places (via ); local public health authorities can refer you to appropriate testing locations and protocol. The Urgent Care Travel network is in the process of setting up COVID-19 protection and testing protocols for its network of sites. Their telemedicine operators can connect you to their nearest testing location.
Review
A welfare check can be performed by someone you trust to call and check on you. Instruct them to contact local enforcement to make a physical well-being check on your truck if you fail to answer a call. On Facebook, the Truckers for a Cause support group set up the as a resource to potentially help match drivers needing welfare checks with other drivers.
Those tasked with welfare checks should know and review the emergency warning signs at the top of this guide and also know exactly where you are parked. Use the Google Maps app’s location-share function, or share a satellite view screenshot of your location in the parking lot. Make certain a checker knows your truck’s make, model, license plate number and any carrier insignia. Hide a key on the outside of the truck in a place you identify to the welfare checker.
For any self-isolation away from home, stock up on supplies such as you can. Stay hydrated with water and sports drinks. Check on local food delivery options.
If self-isolating in a motel, inform the front desk since there might be concern for room service personnel, and the staff might be able to accommodate special needs.
Likewise, if at a truck stop, talk to management. Some truck stops are setting up an envelope for each self-isolated driver that contains contact information helpful to the driver and allows the driver to provide personal contacts and a key to the truck for emergency access. To be fully prepared for in-cab isolation, consider getting a camping toilet.