My Friend Quit Her Job Due to Stress & COVID

The unemployment rate is still pretty high. Thousands of people have been furloughed or laid off.  There are also people who are "voluntarily" leaving their jobs because they are afraid of contracting COVID. 

Those who have made the decision to chose their health over their job are probably going to catch a lot of flack from people on the outside looking in. You see, these people will holler that those quitting their jobs are not scared of COVID, they are just lazy and want to collect those "enhanced" unemployment benefits. 

In my view, some of the ones making the criticism don't want hospitality workers to quit because who will be there to check them out at the grocery store? Or make their hamburger and fries? They think people quitting their jobs are selfish, but they don't see their views as being selfish at all. 

A former neighbor of mine, Rainia, has worked in the retail industry for the past 6 years. She started out as a clerk and worked her way up to manager. Unfortunately, she didn't get to enjoy her new position very long, because the year she got promoted the pandemic hit. 

Things started getting really stressful at work for Rainia. She had to learn and implement all the mandated CDC guidelines. This included making sure customers and employees practiced social distancing and wear masks. It got really stressful trying to implement these guidelines, because most customers and some employees didn't want to follow the CDC protocol. This resulted in several employees contracting COVID and having to be quarantined. Trying to manage a store with reduced staff really took its toll on Rainia. She developed severe headaches and her hair began falling out. To make matters even worse, Rainia tested positive for COVID. All this led to her voluntarily leaving her job in July. I am sure Rainia's immune was weakened due to all this stress.

Rainia is now applying for jobs that don't require a lot of customer contact. And yes, she has gotten a lot of criticism from family and friends for quitting her job. 

I don't fault anyone for putting their health over their job. I wish we lived a society where no one would ever have to make this type of choice or decision. 

Do you know of anyone who has quit their job over the fear of contracting COVID?  If so, leave a comment.