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EDITORIAL: Grocery workers deserve gratitude, not more stress

A 20-minute visit to Princeton’s Save-On-Foods last week was pause for reflection, to be sure.
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A 20-minute visit to Princeton’s Save-On-Foods last week was pause for reflection, to be sure.

Outside the store, the first cart in the queue was empty except for two crumpled and used tissues that someone had left, presumably for an employee to deal with.

After a socially-distanced lap around the store, it was interesting to watch the cashier go through the processes ordered for her safety, and the safety of customers.

She disinfected surfaces, which included reaching around the Plexiglas shield installed at every till to wipe off the point of sale machine.

One elderly gentleman she served grumbled at her repeatedly, because he was having trouble with his credit card.

Another customer in line watched while she checked and bagged his items, and then he picked up his purchases and fled the store without paying.

This all happened before 9 a.m.

Grocery stores are an essential service. So are pharmacies, gas stations, and other retail outlets including liquor stores.

Their employees may fear heightened risks of contracting COVID-19 and even spreading it their loved ones, because of the amount of time they spend with the public.

Everyone is dealing with increased stress of course, but it doesn’t take much empathy to imagine how our grocery (and other retail) workers would suffer more than most.

At times Save-On employees have been abused in the aisles, like it’s their fault there are no eggs or flour.

They have been harassed for enforcing limits on purchases, which is their job and the only way there is going to be enough food and supplies for everyone, day to day.

They deserve our respect, cooperation and gratitude.

These are the people who are quite literally saving our bacon.

Often we hear ideas and promises of what’s going to happen ‘when this is all over and we get back to normal.’

So when this is all over and we get back to normal, let’s come together as a community and throw these heroes a heck of a party and barbecue in that parking lot we all take for granted.

In the meantime, be patient, be nice and be thankful.

-Similkameen Spotlight



Andrea DeMeer

About the Author: Andrea DeMeer

Andrea is the publisher of the Similkameen Spotlight.
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