Student Workers During COVID-19

By Paula Mulrooney, Photo Editor

Courtesy of CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE

On March 20, AUHSD announced plans and updates for distance learning as spring break approached students. However, on April 1, AUHSD announced the dismissal of schools for the rest of the school year. This change brought struggles within students’ lifestyles.

Many students who do not have outside jobs from school have stayed home in order to follow the “Stay At Home” order and completed multiple homework assignments.

Others who currently work through this pandemic have struggled with the balance of academic and work life in transitioning to distance learning.

The struggle has reached even deeper with many students as their affected mental state and heightened anxiety has caused them to be at a higher risk for the virus.

As a student, I personally struggle with the balance of homework from Advanced Placement (AP) classes and my job. I work about 35 to 37 hours a week on a very unstable schedule. As I continue to work, I lack sleep and time to work on my academics along with anxiety of exposing my family to the virus.

As risks are potentially elevated at work, many businesses take precautions such as washing hands every 30 minutes, wearing a mask, and wearing gloves. Students undergo the precautions in order to avoid spreading the virus to families at home.

When talking to students like myself, it becomes clear that each one has been affected by the experiences at work and the changes to their current lifestyle

Ricel Bautista, Boba Time (Class of 2020)

“It's definitely changed a lot of things. Especially for our class of 2020. We don't get to experience our senior events like how other classes have. It’s changed so much in general too because stores are closing earlier than expected, you don't really get to hang around or be in social contact with anyone anymore.”

Vanessa Ruiz, Stater Bros (Class of 2020)

“It does affect my school life because I am working during what would be a school day and have less time for my homework.”

Mya Lynd, Chipotle (Class of 2020)

“At work, there are many struggles, like guest complaints when we are backed up with over 89 online orders due at one time and their order was 10 minutes late, or even customers getting upset when we inform them about how they must wear a mask when coming in since we must wear one as well. I feel that people in these uncertain times don’t understand that we are all human too and we are risking our health to serve them as they please & all we ask is for their patients and kindness.”

Savanna Weaver, Chipotle (Class of 2020)

“As for my school life I'm pretty sad about now being able to participate in our last senior events and just experience the last couple months as a high schooler, but I speak for all of the senior class when I say that. My lifestyle definitely has taken a toll, I have to be extra precautious when coming into my home given my grandmother has diabetes and her health is at larger risk to the virus. Work has been a lot more difficult, I work the online orders and ever since the virus there's been a major increase in online orders. I became very backed up with almost 50 orders due at the same time. I myself think I've had a pretty positive attitude regarding the virus. I was really upset at first, but it’s understanding that the quarantine is better for people’s own good.”

--

Many difficult times have been faced during this pandemic as cases appear across Orange County. Those students who are currently working face the risks of exposure, exhaustion, and complaints from multiple customers during these times. This is on top of the difficult task of trying to transition to online learning during our final quarter of high school.

A simple smile can have a great impact onto those who are working to provide to the public. During these times, it means so much to consider the struggles these young men and women have to endure.