With COVID-19 cases on the rise, governments around the world are trying to prevent the spread from continuing by issuing orders for the public to stay at home. Even in this time of quarantine, however, some workplaces must remain open, and their workers are deemed “essential”.
Essential jobs include grocery store cashiers and restaurant staff, positions that are often held by college students. Many Milligan College students are still working during the pandemic as coronavirus continues to spread.
Josiah Loveall, a sophomore, works as a barista at Open Doors Coffeehouse located in Johnson City, Tennessee. He continues to work during this time to financially support himself. Regarding his responsibilities at work, Loveall commented on the changes since closing the sitting area.
“Things are easier,” he said. “I don’t have to clean the lobby or anything like that. We are also taking extra precautions, such as wearing face masks and sanitizing hands after every transaction.”
Loveall prefers being at work instead of in quarantine, and said that the coffee shop now receives more customers due to competitors being closed.
Dalton Davis, a senior psychology major, works at a local gas station, and has kept his job for financial safety. He is, however, concerned about working during the pandemic.
“The amount of people that don’t take this pandemic seriously worries me. At my work, I handle a lot of money and lottery tickets. There are a lot of germs on those items,” said Davis. “I’m also concerned that I could be an asymptotic carrier and unknowingly get people sick.”
Business continues on at a steady rate for the gas station, but Davis has concern for the health of the public.
“Honestly stay home,” said Davis. “Let’s pray for everyone’s safety, and hope a cure comes soon to this mess.”
Junior nursing major, Autumn Little is another student braving the pandemic while interning at Sycamore Shoals Hospital, though the number of infected patients is relatively low in the area. For Little, she continues to work because she feels a calling.
“I feel an urge to help as all nurses and soon to be nurses do,” said Little. “It is what we are all called into and so we deal with infectious diseases.”
Jordan Clark, a junior fine arts major, works at Kroger in the “click list” department that specializes in pick up orders. Clark remarks at the influx of orders Kroger has received due to the pandemic.
“It’s been quite an adjustment. There have been a lot more orders for pick up than we have employees,” said Clark. “A lot of the orders have been late and there have been a whole lot of items that we cannot keep in stock because of the high demand.”
Working in a high traffic area, Clark worries about coming into contact with the virus and that customers may become aggressive in claiming the items they want. However, she enjoys being out of her house during this time and supports her family with her job.
Prayer and precaution seem to be common threads during this time of uncertainty. These essential workers hope that people will follow protocols and stay healthy for the sake of themselves and others. For more information, click here to learn about safety protocols put in place to stop the spread of the virus.
Headline photo: Dalton Davis continues to serve customers while taking proper sanitation procedures.