The Student Experience: Working During a Pandemic

GREENFIELD – Despite the pandemic, some students at Greenfield High School still have to work in order to pay for college, automotive-related expenses, and to support their family.

One of the main concerns among the community in regards to the pandemic is safety. With most students working minimum wage jobs that are considered essential, they come in contact with others more frequently than those quarantining at home. One uncomplicated measure students take is wearing a mask.

“At work I always try to wear a mask, and within my work, we are all very open about where we have traveled,” said Morgan Bardwell, a senior, in regard to her safety at work. “I'm very fortunate that we're all a tight knit group and so far, so yes, I've felt safe.”

“I feel mostly safe, but the most difficult thing is keeping a six-foot distance from other people, which is pretty impossible if you need someone to scan alcohol for you or if you’re bagging,” added senior Ella McDaniel. “I sometimes feel unsafe if customers wear their mask improperly – or not at all, though that’s less frequent – but I tend not to say anything about it.”

The pandemic puts students at risk of contracting the virus or spreading it to others. It is also an effort between both customers and the employee to keep each other safe. However, there have been benefits to working during the pandemic.

“The restaurant is constantly clean,” replied Gianna Conte, a senior. “The workload is also a lot easier since it is normally slower with the pandemic.”

“The economy is so crazy right now and I feel grateful that I have a reliable place to make money and save up for things like college,” expressed McDaniel. “Additionally, for the first month of my working there, we received extra pay, and now I believe we receive a monthly bonus, even though I’m just a casual employee, which is very kind.”

With students being in public during the pandemic, the question of whether or not the students should return to in-person learning arises. What is different from going to work during the pandemic than in-person learning?

“People are more mature in a work environment,” claimed Gianna Conte in response to the question. “You are interacting with strangers, being paid for your work, and you have a part in the reputation of the restaurant.”

“Customer service jobs, to me, are far more like a performance, and working with people’s money and food supply obviously is a bigger responsibility than doing your history homework,” admitted Ella McDaniel. “In terms of safety, I feel like work is much safer than in-person school would be, just because we have the plexiglass and constant sanitation, and because people are not in the store for very long and tend to stay a cart’s-length away from others.”

Alany Garcia, a junior, replied, “The differences are that I can be home with my daughter in school. While working and I can't be next to her.” Remote learning allows for students to care for their family domestically, while work allows them to financially support their family and themselves.

With the daily average of COVID cases in the third week of December being 30 for Franklin County, the community of GHS is more at risk than ever. While students are taking the necessary precautions, it is also up to the customers as well to protect them. Vaccines will be given to food and grocery workers, in addition to upperclass students, and educators, in the second phase according to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ website. Although, it is still unconfirmed whether or not the vaccine actually reduces transmissions.