Coronavirus doesn’t stop essential workers

Coronavirus doesn’t stop essential workers

By Octavio Ruiz Posted May 6, 2020

The coronavirus outbreak affected many people’s lives and the government responded to this epidemic spread by closing all non-essential businesses to help prevent the numbers from getting worse. The only places that were left open were the essential ones such as grocery stores, gas stations, hospitals, etc. With these businesses getting left open that leaves the people working there at risk. 

Dylan Perkins a senior who works at Uptown puts himself at risk for the community. Uptown Market implemented some safety procedures to help prevent the employees from getting the virus. 

“I work at Uptown Market and we have installed shields in front of every register and we are required to wear gloves and wipe down all of our doors and machines a lot more frequently now,” said Perkins.

Perkins has also been implementing some safety procedures when he gets home to help prevent his family from getting contaminated. 

Dylan Perkins at wearing a mask at work at Uptown Market./Courtesy • Dylan Perkins
Dylan Perkins at wearing a mask at work at Uptown Market./Courtesy • Dylan Perkins

“Some of the things I do are separate my clothes, wash my hands frequently and help clean frequently touched areas in our house,” said Perkins. “I feel worried at some points because I live with my grandparents and they are at a higher risk than me so coming home every day I make sure to avoid them for a bit while I wash my hands, change clothes, and wipe down everything.” 

Austin Lloyd a senior who works at Khoury’s Market describes the coronavirus situation in public and how he respects everyone’s opinion. 

“I feel like people should be allowed to take this situation as seriously as they would like too,” said Lloyd. “I feel that people shouldn’t get looked at weird if they aren’t wearing a mask or gloves.”

Lloyd explained the emotions that he faces while being an essential employee during times of crisis. 

“Honestly I’m irritated,” said Lloyd. “People come in complaining about people being out and about but are buying donuts? I also hate hearing about the virus at work, it really irritates me.” 

Just like these two students from Lowry, there are also other people from our community who are putting themselves at risk. Ariana Ruiz is a secretary at Verner Chiropractic, she talks about the mental exhaustion that being an essential employee comes with.

“At first I wasn’t too worried about the Coronavirus,” said Ruiz. “I think it wasn’t until it started spreading rapidly and places and events starting shutting down, that I realized the severity of it. Knowing that I work at an office that is considered essential definitely adds to my anxiety and stress of this whole situation.”

Leave a Reply