Should Restaurant Workers Be Considered 'Essential' In A Pandemic? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

I'm A Restaurant Worker But In A Pandemic, We Really Aren't That 'Essential'

Do people really need fast food during a pandemic?

592
I'm A Restaurant Worker But In A Pandemic, We Really Aren't That 'Essential'

During the COVID-19 pandemic, front-line workers are typically thought of as doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. However, high on the list of essential workers are restaurant employees and fast-food workers.

With a large portion of these employees being teenagers, is the risk really worth it?

I've worked in a restaurant since I was 16, so the trials and tribulations that come with working directly with the public are nothing new to me. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic started, I can honestly say that I've never seen anything like it in the three years that I've been in the restaurant business. Obviously, the growing pains have been horrible going from a fully functioning restaurant to carry out only, but our business hasn't slowed down one bit. It seems every customer has the same mindset: "I am the only person in this town who is dining out, so my food better be ready when I want it to be (even though I placed the order three minutes ago)."

In the past week or so, I have been yelled at, belittled, and even cussed out more times than I can count.

On top of that, customers feel the need to tell me how I could do things to be more sanitary when honestly my fellow employees and I are doing our best. Restaurants right now are doing things in accordance with what the CDC suggests. We wear masks, we change our gloves, and try to limit as much contact as possible, but please remember that we are only human and most of us are just kids. In addition to this being a huge change in how we run the business, our pay has been cut as well. Waitresses are not used to working hourly, and those who work hourly are making $2 to $4 less per hour than what they would have made normally. We do all of this to serve those in the community, and because we honestly care about our customers. I promise you, it's not for the money.

After a particularly stressful night, I started thinking to myself, "Are we really essential?"

I mean, grocery stores are open, and with the prices people pay going out to eat, they could have bought half a week's worth of groceries. I started voicing my concerns to people around me and the response I mostly got was this: Restaurants are open so that other essential workers can come get food if they don't have time to cook. OK, that sounds logical, but is it really? The way I see it is that no matter how many precautions restaurants take, there is no guarantee that one of us doesn't have the virus and that we won't spread it to others. So, not only are we more at risk for getting the virus from essential workers who have been exposed, but we are also more likely to spread the virus to those who haven't been exposed. In my opinion, cooking at home is the only way to ensure food is not contaminated by others.

It seems more of a liability to have restaurants open than to close them down until all of this is over.

Yes, restaurants will lose money, but it could potentially save thousands of young lives that have barely even begun. Our future is worth more than this temporary inconvenience.

From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

178984
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6168
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451744
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22871
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments