Essential workers: A supermarket superhero

Words by Liam Stretch. Imagery by Talisker Scott Hunter.

As we approach the end of the lockdown – fingers crossed – there are those of us that have known a very different past four weeks. These are the essential workers, who have been getting up at a time where frost is still on the lawn and early enough to watch Duncan Garner on The AM Show; why one would put themselves through that, I don't know – but it's a thing morning people do. As a writer, I hate mornings. I think they should be banned.

Alas, this article is not about me. It is a homage to the selfless care workers, nurses, those in logistics, doctors, and supermarket workers among many other professions deemed important enough to keep the society we know and love running. Before we get into a bit of a discussion about these people's experiences throughout the nationwide rāhui, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for allowing me to continue my addiction to salt and vinegar chips, looking after my sick family members, and for delivering my AirPods. Let's meet Joseph. He works for a supermarket chain in Ōtautahi where he's been working out on the frontlines during this debacle while a lot of us have been reserved to our bubbles – and glasses of bubbles. Here's his hot take on Aotearoa’s locked down.

On any normal day, let's say in February (because that was when things were normal, right?), Joseph would be one of those wonderfully smiley people serving people at a checkout; scanning and bagging their groceries at a supermarket chain that exclusively hires hot people – you know the one. Insert the most famous song from Disney's Aladdin here for a clue. 

Anyway, a lot has changed in his job recently. Donning PPE (Personal Protective Equipment: an acronym none of us knew four weeks ago) while working, Joseph has to sanitise his hands before and after touching surfaces – in the staff room and when clocking in and out. You may have seen plastic screens at the counters, and bits of tape setting out two metres also – to keep customers and staff separated. Essentially every surface that could be touched by a customer or staff member is sanitised throughout the day – like EFTPOS machines.

"We do a lot more sanitising and cleaning. Now we also control the flow of customers into the store, so often I will stand at the door and let customers know if they can come in, and tell them to sanitise as they come in."

He doesn't mind these new processes overly, as he’s glad to be able to go to work, allowing him a sense of normal life, and he is glad most of his flatmates are okay with him remaining out on the frontlines.

"I appreciate that I am still able to go to work and have some semblance of normality. At first, my flatmates were worried about me working and potentially bringing home coronavirus, but that worry seemed to slip away. Most of my flatmates are still working 9-5 Monday-Friday just from home, so it doesn't feel like no one else is working," Joseph says.

However, some aspects have been frustrating. "I think I would like to tell people to be patient when going to the supermarket; to respect each other and the workers putting themselves on the line – so we can all keep getting groceries. I think some people go to the supermarket too much as I often see people coming into the supermarket multiple times in a day, so try to limit how much you are going there." 

He's also found it difficult to study at this time as universities up and down the country have been closed until further notice. "Not being able to get away from home and study at university has made it very hard for me to work on the assignments I have to do."

Despite these frustrations, he feels safe and is pretty confident in how COVID-19 has been handled. He's also been really well looked after by his workplace – they've even given him a 10 per cent pay rise. I was worried as to whether he was getting a chance to relax and look after himself, though. "I've had plenty of time to look after myself. I've been going for walks and bike rides to make sure I don't get cabin fever – as well as playing games with my flatmates," Joseph says. 

After being involved in such a dramatic part of local and world history, he’ll take things a little less for granted and explore his own backyard. It has definitely made me realise how much I enjoy going to university and the environment that it creates for me to succeed. I will definitely not disregard my freedom in the future, and explore Christchurch more," he says.

So, from all of us, thanks. We will never be dicks to you folks again. We'll maybe still flirt with you, though. No promises.