On March 24 at 12 p.m. Gov. Charlie Baker asked the whole state of Massachusetts to stay at home and not go out in public unless absolutely necessary.
Massachusetts residents, along with almost the entire United States, have been advised to stay at home for over a month, and wait till COVID-19 starts to slow down.
“Waiting around really isn’t an option for me. My first job is temporarily closed, but I still needed money for weekly and monthly expenses,” said NECC student Cole St. Jean via Zoom interview. “So I really had no choice, but to immediately start looking for another job at the worst time. Luckily, I discovered an app called Instacart, and I’ve been working for them ever since.”
Instacart is a grocery pick-up and delivery service that is used across the United States and Canada. Employees receive a shopping list of items from the customer through the app. Then they pick up the items from the grocery store and deliver them to the customer’s address. The employees then receive payment and any tips through the app. Prior to the pandemic, Instacart was already a successful company that was slowly gaining traction throughout the United States and Canada.
Another company that has experience an increase in consumer demand is DoorDash. DoorDash provides customers the ability to order and have takeout delivered to their address by an employee from company partnered restaurants via the DoorDash app.
Companies like Instacart, DoorDash and video conferencing services like Zoom, have seen their success skyrocket due to the on-going pandemic.
“Most of the people staying home, have really been trying to leave the house as least as possible. But when they do leave the house it’s usually to run essential errands or get takeout or go to the grocery store. With delivery service apps like DoorDash and Instacart, people can just safely order and receive their groceries and meals, while helping to lower the total amount of people going out in public,” said NECC student and DoorDash employee, Noah Beaulieau via Zoom interview.
Another essential worker is NECC student Emily Costa, who works as a fry-cook at the 99 Restaurant, in Haverhill, Mass.
“I think these delivery services are a really good thing, because you’re keeping restaurants open, while also keeping the customers safe with contactless delivery,” said Costa via Zoom interview.
The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of challenges and obstacles, but it has also brought opportunity for NECC students as well as for most of the country.
It has given people more time to spend with their families, allowed for more time to focus on schoolwork, brought even more time for passions and hobbies, and for some essential workers, even some time to focus on their jobs. As long as we stay positive and make the best of our situation, we will keep thriving and soon enough be back to enjoying normal life.
