So, I've spent the past 24+ hours talking with a handful of miners and their families. I'm not going to name specific mines or counties, but let me tell you, these folks are scared.

It's kind of sobering to hear. Here’s a thread of what I’ve been told.

These are guys that genuinely risk their lives going underground. Some of the guys & their wives have told me the mines have tried to take precautions (hand sanitizer, additional rides underground) but they fear it's not enough. Wonder why their scared? Here's a couple reasons.

Underground the airflow is limited, and some of these men work close together. Multiple men told me the flu itself spreads so quickly among the miners during the normal flu season.

Another one?

Masks. Specifically N95 masks.

Most of them told me there are a few but not many anymore. In all honesty, some say they don't always wear them underground - but now they don't really have an option. (Don’t worry, I’ve told them to contact MSHA)

They also come from a handful of counties.

, they head underground together and with how long this virus sits dormant, they worry someone from a county with a case may bring it in (but in all honesty, most areas have cases).

The final point is probably the one everyone is most afraid of. And the more grim one.

Most of them have lung issues, or live with people who do. One of the guys I talked to did not go to work just because he's scared for his mother who lives with him. One miner's wife told me her husband already is on a CPAP machine for breathing issues when he sleeps.

Most say they know they are in the early stages of black lung.

Social distancing is nearly impossible underground — & while these guys do work that requires a lot of strength, their lungs are weak.

Many are just praying right now that COVID-19 does not follow them underground.