Everyone in the world is relying on essential workers to help keep our food supply flowing and care for those of us who fall ill. 
It’s a lot of pressure on a great number of people, and many of them never expected to be in this position.
The list of essential workers includes doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, and it also includes grocery workers, bank employees and auto mechanics. And we can’t ignore the fact that many essential workers are living paycheck to paycheck.
The reality is that many essential workers may not have reliable vehicles, and that can be dangerous for them and everyone else at this time.
There are many reasons why essential workers need an efficient, reliable vehicle right now. Here are just a few.
Lives are at stake
Many of our essential workers are doctors, nurses, EMTs, ambulance drivers and others on the front lines who are involved in saving lives every day. If just one of these people is a no-show at work, it will have a ripple effect and can put extra pressure on everyone else. In a worst-case scenario, lives may directly be impacted by the worker’s ability to show up.
In these times, we must do what we can to help ensure essential workers who are willing can make it to work every day — and that means they’ll need a reliable car.
Essential workers rely on the income
Nearly half of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck, so this pandemic is putting an intense strain on the entire country. Some people have been forced to stop working and collect unemployment. Essential workers still have the opportunity to work, but there’s the risk and added stress of putting their health at risk.
But if they have a job and can’t make it to work because of car trouble, they may not get paid. And since the job is open and available, they won’t be eligible for unemployment either.
Roadside service has changed
Auto mechanics are considered essential workers for obvious reasons, and so they are still operating during the crisis. But to say things have changed is a bit of an understatement. If your car breaks down on the road, you may experience longer wait times.
You can also expect what have become standard COVID safety precautions like social distancing, sanitization and mask-wearing. And depending on the company, they may be able to refuse service if you’re showing signs of being sick. Remember tow truck operators often take customers into the cab with them, and this can put them at risk if the customer happens to be sick.
Uber creates more risk of exposure
Under normal circumstances, someone might hop into a taxi or Uber if their car fails them. But through this pandemic, that’s not the safest choice. Not only are there fewer livery drivers on the roads due to reduced demand and increased risk, but sitting in an enclosed vehicle with someone creates an additional risk for both parties.
Public transportation schedules are modified
Public transportation is another option for people who don’t have reliable transportation, but the pandemic has led to difficulties here too. Most public transportation systems are operating on reduced schedules where they may be running every hour instead of every fifteen to thirty minutes.
This can make it very difficult to get to work without some serious prior planning. Not to mention that you risk being crammed into a bus or train with a bunch of other people who may or may not be wearing masks.
Tech can be helpful too
A vehicle’s reliability isn’t just limited to its ability to get you from point A to point B. A reliable vehicle may also have adequate navigation and advanced safety features that help get you to where you’re going without incident.
And there are some convenience features that essential workers may find helpful too. Just think about the pharmaceutical salesperson looking for a hands-free and easy way to open a trunk without touching it.
If you’re an essential worker and thinking about upgrading your vehicle, now may be a good time. Sure, no one feels like they have time for car shopping right now, but you may make time when you think about how essential it is to have a reliable vehicle right now.
