By Desirae Coty, Stevensville
I have never been afraid of Covid-19. I am now scared of people.
Customer Service workers have been through the ringer since March. We have been yelled at for shortages. We have been yelled at because of our online shopping. We have been yelled at for pricing. We have been yelled at because other people were not social distancing. We have done everything including putting up plexi-glass to hiring teams of cleaners and extra online shoppers, all in an effort to help the community stay healthy. We have kept our smiles through all of this.
And now the mask mandate. Yes, the governor of Montana called for a mask up. And now the emotional abuse of customer service workers has intensified. The last two weeks I have cried more at work then any other time. We are being emotionally abused by both sides. Wearing masks gets us screamed at by those that believe we should take them off and exercise our rights. Not wearing the masks has gotten us screamed at by those that believe we are being selfish if we do not wear them. We can’t win.
YOU are making me dread going to work. I am a naturally happy person, now consumed by fear. My thoughts leading to work are, how many calls will I get screaming at me. How many people will confront me because I am medically exempt from the mask. How many will call me names. How many times will I have to intervene when someone yells at a visibly scared child or older adult for not complying with the beliefs of the individual in front of them.
Please stop your harassment and take it to the government agencies in charge of this.
Linda schmitt says
Desirae,
This is horrible. I am so sorry this has happened to you and your coworkers. I am so grateful that you come to work every day, that you try your best to serve the public. I’m not sure we deserve you, and I’m danged sure you don’t deserve this terrible treatment. I wish I could help. All I can do is say “thank you,” but more importantly, in this crazy time, do think of yourself first. Please.