Letter to the editor: Supermarket workers are superheroes

The grocery store employees working to supply food to the American people are undeniably heroic and often unappreciated.

Grocery store workers risk high levels of exposure to the wickedly contagious coronavirus, yet work diligently on the front lines, helping to sustain lives. Following public health guidelines to social distance is difficult, as they come in close contact with strangers all day. They are sacrificing their safety in order to keep others fed.

These superheroes must take tremendous precautions to ensure they don’t expose family members to the virus. They leave uniforms in bags to be disinfected and march straight to the shower. They are doing all the little things right.

Some grocery store workers have been in the direct line of fire from frightened customers fighting over toilet paper and canned goods. It’s hard to blame the customers in this uneasy time. However, it should be very easy to thank employees enduring radical changes in their working environment — including those who come in early to help elderly and vulnerable shoppers, and those who must enforce purchase limits and encourage others not to hoard.

These workers’ dedication is admirable — especially when they get little in return. The average wage range for supermarket employees is $7.25 to $12 an hour.

Indeed, grocery store workers are heroes. They sacrifice their health, protect their families, work in chaotic environments and provide for the elderly. Any doubt about this should be washed away.

Rachel Langsdorf

North Huntingdon