Each morning at 4 a.m., 40-year-old Angel LaSanta embarks on his route as a driver for the Department of Public Works, operating an automated side loader to collect household waste from Springfield neighborhoods. His shift takes him across town, eventually delivering the waste to the incinerator in Agawam, just across the river from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

An automated side loader is a garbage truck equipped with a mechanical arm that lifts and empties trash cans into the hopper without the driver needing to leave the cab. However, if a trash can is too full and spills, LaSanta must exit the vehicle to clean up the mess. This is a risky task, even in pre-pandemic times. LaSanta told MassLive that he often faces potential hazards, such as being exposed to needles or having the remnants of diapers spill on him, as well as other unsavory items residents dispose of. To mitigate these risks, he uses hand sanitizer, thick gloves, and a mask as vital precautions.

Now, with the looming threat of COVID-19, LaSanta worries not only about his own health but also about the potential danger it poses to his son, Alexander, who has cerebral palsy. To stay safe, he takes extra measures each shift, including sanitizing his vehicle's cab, driving alone, and using alcohol wipes and sanitizer liberally.

While occasionally residents will wave or ask questions, LaSanta ensures he keeps his distance. "Hazards can come from anywhere," he said nonchalantly. "Springfield residents can get upset, and some drivers have even been threatened with guns."

Whether dealing with a virus or an irate customer, LaSanta has learned to stay ahead of potential issues by following safety protocols and taking necessary precautions.

The Department of Public Works recently addressed an issue involving "hot loads" that set off radiation sensors at the disposal facility. This occurred twice within a week, on October 29 and November 5. City officials revealed that the cost of decontaminating the vehicle and safely disposing of radioactive materials totaled $5,000—an expense borne by taxpayers.

The precautions LaSanta follows are among the reasons his workload has increased since the pandemic began. According to the National Institutes of Health, the sudden onset of lockdowns and heightened fear of the virus led to a surge in single-use products and panic buying.

A study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics found that U.S. households waste an average of 31.9% of their food, totaling an estimated annual cost of $240 billion, or $1,866 per household. The data, which was collected from 4,000 U.S. households, came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that household waste has been steadily rising year-over-year, even before the pandemic. Now, with many people working remotely, local residential waste and recycling have doubled.

"The routes have gotten bigger because there are more houses and new developments," LaSanta said.

On November 30, at 10 a.m., LaSanta received a call from a nurse confirming that he had tested positive for COVID-19. Two days after Thanksgiving, LaSanta began experiencing breathing problems and went to get tested at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield.

On the day of President Joe Biden’s inauguration, the number of U.S. deaths from COVID-19 surpassed the total number of American soldiers who died in World War II.

Between 1941 and 1945, more than 291,500 American service members died in battle, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. A total of 405,399 American military deaths occurred during the war, including those who died in service.

As of January 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 409,072 people had died from COVID-19 in the U.S., while over two million people worldwide have succumbed to the virus. LaSanta is acutely aware of the virus's severity, not for himself, but for the sake of his family.

His son, Alexander, is always at the forefront of his mind. With his son’s condition—cerebral palsy—putting him at a higher risk of severe illness, LaSanta’s fear grew when he received his diagnosis. Adding to his worry, his 71-year-old mother had been staying with the family to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Cerebral palsy is a disability caused by abnormal brain development or brain damage that affects a person’s ability to move, balance, and maintain posture. According to the CDC, individuals with cerebral palsy face increased risks of severe illness if they contract COVID-19.

“Honestly, it was terrifying and confusing,” LaSanta admitted. “I kept wondering how I got it.”

After receiving the diagnosis, LaSanta isolated himself in a bedroom at the back of his home in Forest Park, where he remained for over two weeks. Family members left food at his door, and occasionally his 16-year-old son would joke by spraying Lysol in the doorway.

“I prayed to God that if it had to happen, let it happen to just me,” LaSanta recalled. “Don’t let it touch my family.”

The CDC has highlighted that individuals with chronic neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, may be at higher risk for severe infections if they contract COVID-19. To minimize the risk, these individuals are advised to take extra precautions, including avoiding crowds, limiting non-essential travel, and staying home as much as possible.

During his quarantine, LaSanta's family members were tested and thankfully received negative results. His wife, Edid, took over all household responsibilities while caring for Alexander. LaSanta spoke of her strength, resilience, and constant positivity throughout the ordeal.

“The thought of coming into the house and not knowing I had it was devastating," LaSanta said. "My first thought was about them.”

A few days after speaking with MassLive, LaSanta received his first of two COVID-19 vaccinations. While he feels some relief, he remains concerned about the potential of passing the virus to others.

Dr. Amanda Westlake, a Division of Infectious Disease Specialist at Baystate Medical Center, explained that the mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine differs from traditional vaccines. It contains a genetic code that instructs muscle cells to produce a protein mimicking the virus, allowing the immune system to build a defense against COVID-19.

LaSanta qualified for the vaccine as a part-time auxiliary officer. Frontline health care workers were the first to receive vaccinations, followed by long-term care facility residents, staff, and first responders.

Massachusetts is on track to enter Phase 2 of its vaccination timeline on Monday. Residents 75 and older will be the first priority group, followed by residents aged 65 and older, individuals with at least two comorbidities, and staff and residents of low-income senior housing.

Public works employees, including LaSanta, are among the more than a million Massachusetts residents who qualify for the vaccine in Phase 2, and they are expected to be eligible in the spring.