Grocery workers are key during the virus. And they’re afraid

AP ^ | April 6 2020 | JIM VERTUNO

[rintintin]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Every day, grocery workers are restocking toilet paper, eggs, produce and canned goods as fast as the items fly off the shelves.

They disinfect keypads, freezer handles and checkout counters as hundreds of people weave around them, sometimes standing too close for comfort amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some work for hours behind clear plastic barriers installed at checkout counters, bulwarks against sudden sneezes or coughs that can propel germs.

They aren’t doctors or nurses, yet they have been praised for their dedication by Pope Francis, former U.S. President Barack Obama and countless people on social media, as infections and death counts rise.

From South Africa to Italy to the U.S., grocery workers — many in low-wage jobs — are manning the frontlines amid worldwide lockdowns, their work deemed essential to keep food and critical goods flowing. Some fear falling sick or bringing the virus home to vulnerable loved ones, and frustration is mounting as some demand better workplace protections, including shorter hours to allow them to rest, and “hazard” pay for working closely with the public.

[cornfedcowboy]

If they are afraid they can quit and be replaced by the unemployed who are not afraid.
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Don’t be stupid in front of all to see. Remember the internet is forever.
Appreciate someone doing a task that many would never try.

[cornfedcowboy]

I’ve chosen not to. No thanks necessary.
—————-
Trust me, no one will thank you because you don’t deserve it. You are a special kind of stupid.

[DuncanWaring]

I know slander is spoken. There have certainly been plenty of spoken lies about DJT over the recent years.

Claiming that there is a meaningful difference between a law that says “You can’t threaten to murder someone” and “You can threaten to murder someone, but if you do we’ll send you to prison for years” is specious.

[Persevero]

And you are nasty

[Persevero]

Who says I don’t appreciate them? I do. I just point out that they are not forced to work their essential job any more than I am.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Claiming that there is a meaningful difference between a law that says “You can’t threaten to murder someone” and “You can threaten to murder someone, but if you do we’ll send you to prison for years” is specious.

You might think that the concept of prior restraint is specious, but it's the foundation of freedom of the press as laid out in the first amendment.

"The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public; to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press; but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity." --William Blackstone, Commentaries, 1765.