Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Staffing
WSI showed TRWs and MOD Turbulence near our route. Looked like we needed to deviate almost 200 nm east of course. Called Dispatch on SATCOM twice with no answer. Then sent free text ACARS message with no response. Coordinated with ATC for 150 nm deviation. Thirty minutes later [we] received message from Dispatch that he was called away from desk. I inquired about who was covering his desk and he said his 'compadre' behind him. Also stated that 'if he's busy or away; there is nobody else...last year we would have been thick as ticks...6 or 7 additional desks open...only 2 now due to COVID.'This 30 minute delay is unacceptable! If we had an emergency and needed assistance; we would have gotten no help! We could have already landed somewhere without any coordination with Dispatch.
Air carrier Captain reported a 30 minute delay in response from Dispatch regarding a deviation for weather.  Dispatcher cited reductions in staffing due to COVID-19 as contributing.