A Glimpse Into The Life Of An Essential Worker During COVID-19 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

A Glimpse Into The Life Of An Essential Worker During COVID-19

It is important to understand what essential workers go through everyday for us during this pandemic.

308
A Glimpse Into The Life Of An Essential Worker During COVID-19

During these wildly uncertain times, we should continue to be especially nice to the workers who are still on the front lines providing for us. Covid-19 became widespread in the United States in late February/early March, and things haven't been the same since.

I've worked as a cashier at Publix for just about four years now, and I can confidently say that I've never felt a level of stress like the first few weeks of the coronavirus panic.


I'm a full-time student at Florida Gulf Coast University, and I've worked part-time for Publix since I was sixteen. After learning about the Covid-19 pandemic and finding that classes held on campus would be converted to online-learning, I had a rough transition. Like many other college students, I was finding that online classes were not my cup of tea, and I was needing to spend more time on them than I would have needed to for an on-campus course.

During this early time, business started to pick up at Publix as the quarantine panic set in, and I found myself struggling to keep up with all of my responsibilities.

I began receiving close to forty hours a week at Publix, although I was still considered a twenty-five hour, part-time worker. I was working eight hour shifts, five days in a row, and being pulled in every possible direction. Stores were flooded with people in a frenzy and shelves were wiped clean. The obvious increase in demand and decrease in supply for cleaning products, personal protective equipment, and paper products led to limits of 1-2 being placed on the items. While most customers are more than understanding considering circumstances, there are the few who raised arguments.

As essential employees, we feel a heavy responsibility to serve our community and do the most that we can during these difficult times.

Stress is high all around the world for everyone experiencing the effects of Covid-19, whether directly or indirectly. As we get used to the new "norm" for the foreseeable future, I hope that people can be kind and appreciative of the efforts that essential workers contribute. We are people struggling with this new reality, just like everyone else. Regardless of any situation, humans should always be kind to other humans.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774751
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

1153
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments