Essential workers in America are widely gratified for their work during this pandemic. When referring to “essential” workers, many articles thank healthcare workers: doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff.
What about the grocery store employees? The local baristas? Three essential service workers talk about their daily work experiences while in a pandemic.
Amber Carrizales
Barista Supervisor
Carrizales thinks that she is forced to work because the government has failed to protect Americans through financial assistance such as additional stimulus checks. “My job has done everything right. I want the people to take it seriously,” Carrizales said. “I shouldn’t be here [at her job], I have to be. The government won’t pay my bills.”
“I feel a lot of things. I’m not essential, coffee is not essential. I’m blessed to have a job but I feel like it’s stupid. Why am I here? Why am I here during a pandemic?”
Evan Houser
Loss Prevention Retail Worker
Evan Houser, a loss prevention retail worker, fears for the safety and health of his elderly family members when he returns from work with a major retail company.
“When you have to come home and see an older parent or an older aunt and uncle; you have to realize you’re dealing with 1,000 people during an eight-hour shift,” he said.
Houser said that his employer has tried to compensate its employees by offering bonuses and hazardous pay, but it didn't last long because no one expected the pandemic to last more than a few months.
Victoria Belt
Patient Care Technician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Victoria Belt, a Patient Care Worker at Northwestern Memorial Hospital reflected upon her work experiences during the pandemic.
Although her job does not require daily or weekly testing, she and other employees are required to do daily COVID questionnaires, while also being required to wear multiple forms of personal protection equipment (PPE), such as face masks, face shields, PPE suits, and goggles.
Even with all that is done to keep employees as safe as possible, Belt tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 11, 2020 from a patient that she had come in contact with. Following protocol, she had to call the COVID hotline and quarantine for 14-days prior to returning to work.
Terri Ross
Executive Director for Illinois Aid Office
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) is a statewide nonprofit that assists individuals who cannot afford legal aid. Monthly, they provide self-help tools regarding law changes and clauses to over 100,000 people.
Terri Ross, Executive Director for Illinois Legal Aid said that there has been an "enormous" increase in the amount of people who are seeking assistance with SNAP benefits and Spanish language users since the pandemic has began.
“If you quit, you might not receive benefits but you could make the argument that you felt unsafe,” Ross said.
Learn More
You can find out more about your rights as an essential worker on the Illinois Legal Aid Online website.
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