Feature: working on the front lines
Ryan McCombs is trying to avoid going insane during quarantine by creating a routine of reading, writing, and exercising.
by Ryan McCombs
Jimmy Smith (not his real name) is watching over the self-checkout line at Walmart when he notices someone breaking the rules. A woman has grabbed three packs of toilet paper, but with new restrictions in place, she can only buy one.
“Hi ma’am, I’m sorry but we currently have restrictions on toilet paper so you can only buy one of the packs you have in your cart, I’ll have to take the other tw-,” he said, before being quickly cut off. “I haven’t gone shopping in weeks. So, just leave me alone, okay?” she said. “Ma’am I’m sorry but we aren’t making any exceptions for anyone,” he said. “This is ridiculous, it’s like mind control,” she said, while breaking the rules and walking out with two.
Jimmy Smith is a Biochemistry major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and because his major is so hard, he was in school for 17 consecutive months. During that time on campus, he wasn’t able to work. So now, in this time of crisis, he cannot afford to not work.
Before taking a job at Walmart, he was a waiter, but when dine-in restaurants were shut down, he lost his job. So now, he serves on the “front lines,” watching over the self-checkout stations at Walmart, which he says are becoming very popular.
It is Smith’s job to enforce the restrictions on toilet paper, clorox wipes, lysol spray, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, and even water bottles. Some customers are understanding and respectful of the restrictions, but Smith is often met with anger and disrespect while politely informing customers that they must put some of their items back. “Some look at me, perplexed and pleading as if asking me ‘But aren’t I special, and therefore an exception?’ No! No one is! That’s the whole point of the signs! We’re experiencing shortages because people were selfish,” he said.
Walmart is providing the workers with gloves and masks and making sure everyone in the checkout lines practices social distancing, but Smith does worry if it is doing enough. He does not have the time, or supplies, to properly clean the checkout kiosks as often as he would like.
While he has been struggling with the anxiety of being fired and having to find a “front lines” job, he will continue to work. He has to.
