ISABELLA DISTEFANO
Assistant Social Media Manager
As a fast food worker, I have seen a lot of interesting people over the years. This job has given me the experience of working with the general public. Now more than ever, I am deeply disappointed with the public, but I’m not shocked in the slightest.
In New York State, we as the public are expected to stay home unless a person is considered an essential worker.
Even though I don’t entirely agree with being considered an essential worker, I do understand why I am.
I do understand that we are sometimes the only option for those that may truly need us. The young nurse that comes through the drive-thru at 7 a.m. needing a large double double and some courage. The young male correctional officer that pulls up at 6:15 a.m. in a massive white pick-up with a sticker that reads “I love my granddog” on the driver’s side door. I smile every time I see it. The young male truck driver that walks up the street, leaving his semi-truck behind, and comes in because we are the only place open where he can grab some food at 7 a.m. Those that lost their jobs and are down on their luck and can only afford fast food items.
I am not essential for people that order 12 sandwiches and rack up $40 – $60 orders. I am not essential for those that are supposed to be staying home and staying safe.
You aren’t staying safe.
How is it that I have consumers handing me money wearing gloves when they pull up to the window? Where have those gloves been? What have you touched while wearing those gloves? You may be keeping your hands safe, but you are risking my health.
I go home after each shift and risk spreading this virus to my family members, some of which have underlying health conditions that the virus is known for killing.
I am fully okay with risking my health to provide a service for those that genuinely need it. I’m not okay with providing a service to those that are supposed to be staying home.
I shouldn’t have a line in the drive-thru that has not stopped for four hours straight. There’s no reason for it. We shouldn’t be making the amount of money that we have been making each hour.
You aren’t being safe. You are treating this as a joke. But, I’m not surprised.
It’s upsetting, but it’s not going to change until everything is entirely shut down.