It seems that truckers may finally get the respect they deserve. Unfortunately, there are those that feel a catastrophic event must occur before it happens. The Toronto Star carried an article on Oct. 8 talking about the after-effects of “when” a flu pandemic hits. What really bothered me was the wording when not if. Apparently the people “in the know”feel it’s inevitable. Scary stuff.

The story quotes a major bioethics study that determined utility workers and truck drivers have been deemed equally important as doctors and nurses in order for society to survive if such an event occurs. It seems that the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has shown us that “the after-effects of a disaster can be as damaging as the precipitating event,” according to the study.

“Just-in-time” delivery will create shortages on just about everything we take for granted. Access to the necessities of life will be society’s number one priority. Guess what? Without truckers, there won’t be any necessities on stores shelves. Just about everything we take for granted is delivered by truck. Drivers will be given medical priority – if you hold an A/Z licence, be prepared to go to the head of the vaccine line (and your families as well, I hope). Without you, society will be hard-pressed to continue. I know it sounds like a Hollywood blocbuster, but think about it. It will truly be a whole new world. Maybe not like the classic sci-fiflick ‘Mad Max’ but things will change.

It’s refreshing that the mainstream media finally picked up on a trucking story that doesn’t involve an accident. To be prioritized on the same level as doctors and nurses speaks volumes on how important you really are. Not to put myself down but I think publishers will likely be put to the back of the line. I’m fine with it, for the greater good and all that. I’d just want to make sure the bonehead politicians are behind me. After listening to them yap over the last few months, I am as undecided as ever. But, I digress.

The moral of this editorial – be proud of what you do. If (notice I say if) this pandemic does hit, you will be our lifeline and I’m betting you won’t be seeing any more articles slamming the industry. It’s just too bad that it may take this to wake people up.

– Rob Wilkins is the publisher of Truck News and he can be reached at 416-510-5123 or by e-mail atrwilkins@trucknews.com.