Gen-Z view – frontline perspective

The news around COVID-19 hit me suddenly.  I was in the middle of processing a transaction for a customer, when my coworker came to tell me that we’d be under a lockdown starting at midnight.  It explained a lot: the rush of customers withdrawing large amounts of cash, the endless busy traffic in the parking lot, the outlandishly long lines at the supermarket across the street, the continuous messages blowing up my phone... I looked at her worriedly, unsure of how we would be affected.  
 
Before I knew it, everything changed within a span of four days.  The branch I normally covered closed.  Work hours changed drastically and the types of transactions allowed are now limited.  Tapes were put up everywhere to indicate the minimum six-foot distance between each person.  The job I was finally feeling comfortable performing suddenly felt foreign again.  New updates were announced every day to help our clients navigate the chaos.  Our customers’ signs of distress were still noticeable despite coming in the branch covered in full personal protective equipment (PPE).  Everything was suddenly thrusted into a different perspective: we can only continue to try our best to make it through this pandemic.
 
As someone who works at a bank, an essential business, I fully understand the anxiety that takes over other front-line workers.  Every day that we’re exposed in public instills fear when we deliberately go outside.  I can only hope that as I continue to go to work, I won’t come home as a threat to my family and their wellbeing. 
 
Given my own experience, I can only imagine how stressed healthcare workers are during this time, especially with the shortage of PPE. It’s true when they say that not all heroes wear capes.  The dedication these people are putting into their profession is truly admirable.  To all the people who are risking their lives and giving their all to help our communities get through these times of uncertainty, we at Jezuba want to say thank you for all your hard work! 
 
Lauren Young 
​Content Strategy Intern

credit: Becca's artsy corner