Frontline workers struggle through coronavirus pandemic

             Frontline workers are experiencing high-risk exposure to the novel coronavirus as they interact with hundreds of individuals every day at their jobs. This constant interaction around others has led to adverse effects for those workers to persist as the pandemic continues.

“It has affected me drastically,” said Christa Nanos, a 40-year old Valley Transit Authority bus operator. “I’m not myself when doing my job, because I have to change the way I do my job as the policies change every five seconds.”

            From March 9^th through July 13^th, there have been 11 different orders related to coronavirus from the Santa Clara County Public Health. The amount of change has caused frustration for frontline workers to maintain composure to angry customers.

            According to the World Health Organization, such workers during this pandemic are experiencing unpreceded pressure, disrupting their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This has led to workers to experience burnout, onset of mental disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, increased substance usage, and suicidal ideation. 

“(COVID-19) has stopped me from traveling as much, seeing people due to the risk, and made me more worried as a whole,” said Andre Chavez-Salas, a 21-year-old bakery decorator.

Although protective personal equipment, such as disposable masks and gloves, reduce the risk of exposure, these measures do not alleviate the constant stress for many frontline workers.

            “I have my health, but I lost my sanity,” said grocery store cashier Michael Gonzalez, 41.

            

Compensation is not a guarantee

Support for monetary compensation for frontline workers has remained steady amongst the general population and the federal government. On May 15^th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act, which includes $200 billion for frontline workers. It awaits an upcoming vote in the US Senate later in July.

Despite planned legislation to financially benefit frontline workers, many that fall into that category are not satisfied with the lack of emotional support from their employers.

            

“It’s not just us who are on the line, but we can head home to those who are high at risk,” said Ybarra. “It involves us and others. I do believe that hazard pay should come back. It would make us feel more appreciated by (our employers) as a whole.”

Many employers, including Wal-Mart, Amazon, and Kroger, had a temporary pay

increase, otherwise known as hazard pay. They also relaxed their time and attendance policies for their workers to take unpaid time off without risking being terminated. 

However, most of those employers ended both policies, while the risk exposure remained

steady or increased. This decrease has led frontline workers to be discouraged that their employer has valued their reputations rather than their employees.

What worries most frontline workers is not the present. They fear for the future.

            

“Midway through summer and the people getting coronavirus has only increased in the United States,” said grocery store department receiver Michael Randall, 66. “If the summer is like this, the winter will be not fun. Not fun.”

            Traditionally, the flu, caused by the influenza virus, affects millions of Americans throughout the year, particularly during late autumn through the winter. Most scientists suspect that coronavirus can follow the same pattern as influenza is transmitted, resulting in a “second wave” of the severity of the pandemic.

Living in the new normal

Stress management is critical for many frontline workers to keep themselves professional and motivated to continue working. The WHO recommends actions including to stay informed from reliable sources, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, advocating for yourself, and staying connected to help cope with the pandemic.

            

“Go on a hike. Tackle things off your to-do list. Talk to your family and friends to keep touch. Find something to do to keep you distracted,” said Nanos.

            

Tammy Homen, a 54-year-old grocery store worker, had a similar response.

            

“In the beginning, I was frightened and didn’t come to work” said Homen. “However, I’m not as scared because I put my faith in God. He is in control, and I’m not.”

            As stressful the pandemic has been for frontline workers, most have had sentiments about finding more purpose. For some, this time has brought up underlying tensions in their personal relationships and caused for a deeper bond with those closest to them.

            “My relationship with my parents is better than ever before. I talked about my fears of moving and they revealed their own fears,” said Ybarra. “As bad as this has been for so many, I think it has been a chance for everyone to figure out what matters most in their lives.”