We should salute all food delivery drivers risking it all to bring us food

While we are all giving thanks to nurses and front-line workers during this crisis, let us not forget the brave food delivery drivers also.

There have been many local heroes who have emerged during the coronavirus pandemic, with nurses and grocery store workers getting equal praise. However, we should not forget about the unsung heroes in this time of darkness — food delivery drivers.

The Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and various delivery drivers are out there equally risking their lives to keep the restaurant industry somewhat afloat while dining rooms go dark across the country. Governors across the country have ordered restaurants to close dining rooms and sit-in areas to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, and while fast food chains have easily converted to the temporary drive-thru and delivery-only model, most local restaurants are having a tough time because their operations weren’t designed for that type of model.

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In order to survive this new reality, many local restaurants have turned to take-out and delivery just to stay afloat. The problem has turned into a Godsend for delivery drivers, especially Uber Eats drivers, many of whom weren’t making nearly enough to keep their independent operations in the black.

Now that restaurants have to lean on most of these drivers to keep their business sustained, delivery drivers have hit the road and delivered hundreds of thousands of meals. Unlike the other heroes through the coronavirus crisis, app-based delivery drivers are not paid a standard wage and their income is highly dependent on delivery fees, most of which are being waived as more folks are ordered to stay home.

These drivers are exposed even more to the scourge of the coronavirus, not just from a health perspective, but from a financial one as well. If drivers don’t work and are not self-quarantined from the virus, they’re not getting paid, which has led to numerous drivers working almost every day to drive some sense of normality to millions of Americans.

So while we should salute the health care workers and grocery store employees still out serving their communities, food delivery drivers should get equal praise as well.