Grocery store workers in the State of Tennessee are considered Category 3 in vaccine priority, at the bottom of the essential workers list. This in spite of the fact that we have been required to be at work, to stock shelves and to serve customers since the very beginning of the pandemic. We deal with throngs of customers day in and day out. Most play by the rules and are appreciative of the service we provide, but a large number of them do not. I can point to a customer a couple of months ago who accosted me over my store being out of the particular flavor of LaCroix she wanted. Her exact words were “Don’t you know I risked my life just coming to your store!”
Then there are the ones who treat you like furniture when they are reaching for a can of peas, while you are stocking peas, and lean right in and over you. There is no distancing in a grocery store.
Last week, my lovely wife tested positive. Unsurprising considering the mask averse conservative neighborhood where she works. I have been working in more liberal areas. But no matter, two days later I tested positive as well. Honestly COVID has been kicking my butt, but I am finally getting better.
I had a conversation with my friend, local doctor and liberal Democratic activist Gabby Salinas, and asked her why in TN grocery employees are considered category 3, while in other states they are considered 1b. She was shocked to hear this, and today, opened a petition imploring our governor to move us up the list a bit. This is the message she sent out:
This is my friend Robert, he is and his wife, are grocery store workers and both of them have contracted covid.
Our grocery store workers have been risking their lives everyday since the beginning of the pandemic so that we could have food on our tables. They are in the front lines and are essential to our community. Currently, they are in the last group in the vaccine roll-out.
Please join me in signing and sharing the petition linked below. We are requesting Gov Bill Lee move our grocery store workers up to phase 1b. Our grocery store workers are counting on our help. Let's show them we care about them and are grateful for their work.
If you live in the state of Tennessee, and you think grocery employees deserve better, please click and sign at this link below:
actionnetwork.org/...