Commercial truck driver Greg Aguirre is still working, hauling weekly shipments of pizza dough and toilet paper from Los Angeles to Houston. But his work day looks entirely different now.
鈥淲e鈥檙e stuck with junk food that they have inside the truck stops,鈥 said Aguirre, a long-haul trucker for seven years. 鈥淓verywhere where we used to be able to walk in and get something has closed. A lot of them won鈥檛 allow us to call it in and walk up to the window.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 get the stuff we need for ourselves at the truck stops because all of a sudden all the locals are shopping at the truck stops. They鈥檙e taking what we use,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 get hand sanitizer. I mean, hand sanitizer was always right there on the counter for us all the time.鈥
Not only are supplies limited, but some places that remain open don鈥檛 seem to be adhering to sanitization guidelines, Aguirre said.
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He鈥檚 taken his own precautions, regularly wearing nitrile gloves and making sure to wash his hands more often to not only protect himself but to prevent any harm to his family in Los Angeles.
His job has kept him isolated from his daughters and his grandchildren.
鈥淟ast week, (I) said, 鈥楬ey, maybe we should barbecue here,鈥欌 Aguirre recalled telling one his daughters. She replied that it wasn鈥檛 a good idea.
鈥淲hen everything was OK, I hung out with my daughters, spent the night over there. Now I鈥檓 pretty much with my elderly parents, which is not good for me to be going over there because I don鈥檛 know what I got on my clothes,鈥 he said.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e more subject to getting it than anybody else, but I don鈥檛 want to go to a hotel. I don鈥檛 know who鈥檚 been in that room before me and that costs money, too.鈥
It鈥檚 not all bad
There are hassles, but there also are some advantages, said Micah Whitsitt, a four-year commercial truck driver based in Utah.
鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy, (but) traffic鈥檚 been a lot better. A lot of places are closed,鈥 Whitsitt said. 鈥淚n Echo, Utah, they had people at the port of entry handing out free food to drivers.
鈥淚 had a normal load outgoing out of New Jersey to Utah 鈥 five stops, two in New Jersey, one in Iowa and two in Colorado, and then I deliver in Salt Lake City. ... That鈥檚 my normal two-week run and I couldn鈥檛 even get a load going back east this time from Utah.鈥
Tony Bradley, president of the 蜜柚直播 Trucking Association, which is made up of industry advocates, said trucking companies are trying to adapt to the sudden changes of delivery requests while advocates are trying to ensure that each state keeps the industry as an essential service.
鈥淟ast week I shared with many people that, for instance, because people aren鈥檛 driving, the people who normally deliver fuel were delivering groceries,鈥 Bradley said.
鈥淚 saw a company that usually services the mining industry delivering groceries. We鈥檙e adjusting to the new normal.鈥
Bradley anticipates that three problems will continue for the next few weeks: finding drivers adequate rest, the availability of food, and the lack of facilities that provide showers due to establishments closing their doors.
鈥淚 spoke to a driver yesterday who said he hadn鈥檛 had the opportunity to shower in three days, but he was still out there running,鈥 Bradley said.
鈥淗e was doing what he needed to do and, frankly, he was in great spirits.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen countless Americans help truckers throughout the country, countless stories of somebody going through the drive-thru on behalf of the truck driver and bringing it to them in the bag.
鈥淚n times of crisis, the American people are quite amazing. And we鈥檝e seen that throughout the industry.鈥
The Federal Highway Administration, in attempt to remedy issues with food services, announced Friday that they鈥檙e allowing food trucks to operate and sell food in rest areas for commercial truck drivers.
That will last for the duration of the national emergency, an agency news release said.
In 蜜柚直播, two shuttered rest areas near Flagstaff have been reopened to truckers.
The Parks Rest Area along Interstate 40 at Milepost 182 and the Christensen Rest Area on Interstate 17 at Milepost 324 now have parking, portable toilets and handwashing stations for truck drivers.
And more support is being offered around the nation.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to get through this and trucking鈥檚 going to be there for everybody along the way,鈥 Bradley said.
鈥淚鈥檓 just completely honored and I thank every trucker that鈥檚 out there on the road making sure that the American people have what they need in this time of crisis.鈥
Down the Road
Gates Pass Road closing this week: Gates Pass road is set for repairs Monday between Camino de Oeste and Kinney Road.
The asphalt improvement project will begin at 7 a.m. and last until sundown. The full closure is due to the narrow, winding road presenting a possible hazard to personnel.
Crews will finish this work by Friday evening.
Overnight bridge work on I-10 in 蜜柚直播: Motorists will see overnight lane closures along several roads beneath Interstate 10 for the next six weeks due to bridge repair work.
From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day, the work will cause delays on Ajo Way, Country Club Road, Palo Verde Road and Irvington Road.
All roads are expected to remain open.
However, the work on southbound Palo Verde Road will cause the on-ramp to eastbound I-10 to close temporarily.
Motorists should use Irvington Road and Alvernon Way to access I-10.
Weeks of restrictions set for I-10 near Prince Road: There will be overnight lane closures on I-10 near Prince Road for the next four weeks as crews complete pavement maintenance.
Crews will work from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each day. Occasional delays may occur.
Photos for April 1: 蜜柚直播 gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

A dinosaur statue over the doors of MATS Dojo at 5929 E. 22nd St., sports an athletic cup for a face mask in the second week of COVID-19 restrictions, March 31, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

A pair of protestors use their car to block west bound traffic on Silverlake to let other protestors make the left turn in into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex during a vehicle based demonstration by #FreeThemAll for the release of prisoners in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, March 31, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Raj Paudel hands a bag of food to a customer at Govinda's to-go-tent located at 711 E. Blacklidge Drive, on April 1, 2020.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

The biggest hit to employment in 蜜柚直播 came in the leisure and hospitality industry 鈥 hotels, bars, restaurants and places of amusement 鈥 which alone shed 5,200 jobs.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

John Aldecoa tapes up a banner outside his restaurant, Brother John's, as he and his staff get ready to serve again after being closed since the COVID-19 restrictions were put in place two weeks ago, April 1, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Michael Olivas, right, helps Arnold Vizcaino, City of 蜜柚直播 Parks and Recreation employees, lock up swings at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of 蜜柚直播 Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all 蜜柚直播 parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Caution tape across an entrance on a playground at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. City of 蜜柚直播 Parks and Recreation employees are closing all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, sports courts and more due to the coronavirus outbreak.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

A "CLOSED' sign and caution tape is placed around a ramada at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of 蜜柚直播 Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all 蜜柚直播 parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, adjust their mortar boards and hair in the window of a building along Scott Ave. in downtown 蜜柚直播 on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the rest of the school year has been canceled. Richards and Dotson are seniors at Marana High School and will not have a formal graduation ceremony. The pair came to downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, take a selfie as their friend, Camilla Hamilton, 17, gets her photo taken by Vanessa鈥檚 mother, Chrissi, along Scott Ave. in downtown 蜜柚直播 on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus, the rest of the school year has been canceled. The Marana High School seniors went downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Georgia Goodwin, volunteer, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern 蜜柚直播.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Along with other volunteers and employees, Paula Sanford, center, volunteer, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern 蜜柚直播.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Andy Cathey, Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum employee, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern 蜜柚直播.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Andy Cathey, Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum employee, sews masks for hospital workers and the community at Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum, 5701 E. Speedway Blvd., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Cathey's Sewing and Vacuum have made roughly 2,000 masks, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in one week for local hospitals in Southern 蜜柚直播.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Rudy Arriaga, far left, and his mother, Dale, chat with Damian Velez, far right, general manager and Joseph Ashbacher before leaving with their takeout order at Bianchi's Italian Restaurant, 3640 W. Tangerine Road, in Marana, Ariz. on March 30, 2020. The Marana location will closed due to a drop in business.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

A man wearing personal protective equipment works out at FitCore at Morris K Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 29, 2020.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Ruby Boulet-Stephenson waters the family's new backyard garden, on March 27, 2020.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Roccos Little Chicago Pizzeria sports the phrase "Eat the Rich" on its marquee, on March 31, 2020. The local pizza spot is currently closed due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19.)
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

A pedestrian crosses Church Avenue near the Historic Pima County Courthouse in a nearly-empty downtown 蜜柚直播 during the coronavirus pandemic in spring 2020.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

A bank customer wears gloves while at a drive up ATM at Chase Bank, 8701 E. Broadway Blvd., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 29, 2020.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

While traveling through 蜜柚直播, Canadians Lauri Buchanan and her husband Brian Buchanan, left, eat lunch with their friends Rhonda McDonald and her husband Pat McDonald, right, from Wyoming, outside of Whataburger, 6504 E. 22nd St., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 30, 2020. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan and Mr. and Mrs. McDonald were eating outside due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

David Cardinal, a sales associate at The Hub, works with a customer at the gun store located at 1400 S Alvernon Way, on March 28, 2020. The store saw an increase in customers during the last few weeks.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

An employee at The Hub, a gun store located at 1400 S Alvernon Way, works with a customer on March 28, 2020. The store saw an increase in customers during the last few weeks.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Cassie Phelps, food service employee for 蜜柚直播 Unified School District, hands two students lunches and breakfast at Harold Steel Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Dr., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 31, 2020. TUSD is offering lunches and breakfast for students due to schools being canceled because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Jolene Luquin, teaching assistant for 蜜柚直播 Unified School District, organizes educational packets for a parent at Harold Steel Elementary School, 700 S. Sarnoff Dr., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 31, 2020. The educational packets, for grades K-12, include the curriculum for all classes from science to math to history and others. It allows the students, parents and teachers to keep learning despite not being in the classroom, according to Karla Escamilla, TUSD public information officer. TUSD plans to have most of the paperwork online in the next couple of weeks, said Escamilla, as well as issue laptops to students who don't have access to a computer. TUSD is issuing these packets and online school due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

After more than a week in isolation, Tami and Tedd Handy get the chance to dance as Mama Coal, Carra Stasney and Tim O'Connor give a street concert on Placita de Zacatal in the Casas Adobes neighborhood, Saturday, March 28, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus

Mama Coal, Carra Stasney and Tim O'Connor take to the great outdoors along Moonshroud Dr., in Catalina Shadows, Saturday, March 28, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
Contact Star reporter Shaq Davis at 573-4218 or sdavis@tucson.com
On Twitter: @ShaqDavis1