Grocery Work and the Coronavirus

[PA Democrat]

21. Thanks so much for your very thoughtful account bigtree.

I hope you continue to stay healthy.

I have to wonder if this crisis could eventually lead to the resurgence of union membership, improved worker safety regulations and things like mandatory paid sick leave. I have family members who are also considered "essential workers" and it has taken an executive order from our Democratic governor to force employers to provide some basic safeguards for workers and by extension the general public.

I personally have not been physically inside a store in four weeks now. I have switched to ordering groceries online, paying with a credit card and then doing the curbside pickup for both my family as well as my elderly parents both of who have serious health issues. When I go to pick up my grocery orders, I see many elderly people still walking into grocery stores without masks. It breaks my heart because my parents would otherwise have been among them because they have been unable and unwilling to adapt to using pretty much any technology.

Thank you for all of your work and please remain vigilant!