The owner of Piscopo’s Cash & Carry chain took to Facebook to reveal the harsh reality store owners and workers are facing during the Corona crisis.

In a lengthy and at times heartwenching post, the owner discussed several issues such as items being out of stock and the public’s consequent ire at such a situation. The post highlighted that the establishment runs out of milk, eggs and meat daily and lack of products on shelves is not due to negligence: “I have been doing this for 25 years I did not forget how to order product
nor did I cause the warehouse to be out of product,” the post read.

The post also highlighted the long hours worked by employees to provide groceries for clients: “9. My team puts themselves in harm's way everyday so you can buy groceries: “My team works tirelessly to get product on the floor for you to buy. My team is exhausted. My team is very under appreciated.”

Apart from the physical strains, the post also reveals the health risks that threaten workers. It also continues to describe a horrific daily situation; workers being verbally abused from people waiting in queues: “The next time you are in a grocery store, please pause and think about what you are saying and how you are treating the people you encounter. They are the reason you are able to buy toilet paper, sanitizer, milk, eggs and meat. Please THANK the people who helped you. They don't have to come to work!” the post concluded.

Spare a kind word to shop workers and be mindful of the risks they undertake next time you pop to the grocer.