COVID-19 has hit the world hard, and while circumstances are beginning to show signs of lightening up, quarantine has greatly affected everyone in some way. The policy of isolation followed by much of the world caused many changes in day-to-day life, with the most important changes happening to how people work. Some have lost their jobs, some have been placed on leave, and some have been working from home. However, some fields have been deemed essential to the continued functioning of society. The people working these jobs have had to continue to go to their work each day, changing their environments to minimize the constant risk of infection.
One area that is obviously still active is the medical field, including chiropractic work. College student Caleb Gaylor works as an intern at Titan Chiropractic, helping to prepare patients before the procedures begin. According to Gaylor, COVID has had a major effect on the way the business is run.
“It’s a big change from what it was before. There are more precautions we have to take, and we do twice the amount of sanitizing. Only 2-3 patients are allowed in the building at once. Face masks are worn by all employees,” said Gaylor.
Senior John Fetty works at De Ruiter lawn equipment, where he services machines that come through the shop to be repaired. On an average day he can do anything from cleaning carburetors to burnishing blades. Fetty has continued to report to his workplace because the tools necessary for the job often cannot be found at home.
“I feel very thankful to be able to continue working through quarantine because if I was not working I wouldn’t have near as much spending money for the summer, and I would also be very bored,” said Fetty.
A final example of an essential business is a grocery store, such as Hy-Vee, where senior Lin Nikkel works. Nikkel helps organize online orders for customers to come to pick up.
“Because I work in a grocery store, it’s important that I work to ensure food and groceries get out the door for people who are stuck at home,” said Nikkel. “I actually really enjoy working through quarantine. It allows me to get out of the house and see some people. I don’t feel nearly as cooped up as I would’ve been had I not worked.”
In the end, we owe a debt to all essential workers, who have continued to provide the services we need to keep everything running smoothly while we wait. They work to be prepared for when the rest of the world can safely re-emerge from quarantine. Thank you all for your service.
