In the midst of a national emergency, many people are still maintaining their everyday routine. This would include students going to work, even though they’re advised to stay home.
Lucy Debrunner ’20 works at Mama Rosa’s, a pizza restaurant that is limiting their business to pick-ups and deliveries. She said she is still working her regular days and answering phones, despite the advisories to stay home.
“I feel that a certain number of people should be working so that we can stay open,” Debrunner said. “Many of our employees live paycheck-to-paycheck so they need this source of income during this time, and with so few people choosing to work, I feel as though I should so that we can stay open for those who need it.”
Debrunner said her parents feel wary of her leaving the house for work, but trust that she’s taking proper precautions.
“When I arrive, I make sure to use Clorox wipes to clean the phone desk and make sure everything is disinfected, along with washing my hands periodically,” Debrunner said. “I don’t have much interaction with people at work except with the other workers, which has become a smaller number.”
On the other hand, some students have jobs that will be lost or given away if not tended to, such as Greg Gouvia ’21. He is a photographer and social media creator for upcoming rapper, “Whiterosemoxie”, and said he is required to work on a daily basis.
“A normal day involves me going to a music studio,” Gouvia said. “There, I am around about 10 people per day. This is, most definitely, a much more safe alternative than being around almost two thousand people when I would shoot concerts.”
Gouvia said his parents disapprove of him continuing his work, but he believes he has to be there in order to keep his job.
“I think if money needs to be made and business needs to be done, there is always a way,” Gouvia said. “Businesses that involve hundreds surrounding each other should minimize their human contact; but in my case, I am with a limited number and am taking precautions.”
Elaina Calisi ’20 said she sees it differently– she believes going to work is one of the main reasons why the virus is exponentially spreading. She works at Cornwall Bakery as a barista, making coffee and serving people.
“Right now, I do not think people should be working,” Calisi said. “I was lucky enough to have a boss that took the right measures to keep people safe, but for those who don’t, work can be an ample way of spreading the virus.”
Calisi said her parents were not opposed to her working as long as she was being careful and staying safe, but she has a stronger opinion on the matter.
“The only way this will all stop is if we cooperate and do what the World Health Organization advises,” Calisi said. “It will be boring and scary for everyone, but if we want all of the things we’ve been looking forward to to actually happen, it must be done.”