Many work-places have laid-off, furloughed or fired some of their employees due to the financial impacts of COVID-19 — high-schoolers are part of that demographic, including Oak Park High School students.

Some students still have their jobs but aren’t earning money right now. Other students have received certain benefits, and others have been laid-off with none. Students get jobs for a multitude of reasons: spending money, work-studies, paying for college, to name a few.

Seniors who work to earn money to help pay for college are facing a tough situation.

Various companies that deliver food and other products are getting overwhelming orders, and many of those employed by such companies are still working. Senior Luka Sarac joined DoorDash in 2019 to make some money. Under current conditions, he is among the few who are still working.

“I got a job last year to make some money so I could save up for college. The current circumstances haven’t affected [saving for college by] too much,” Sarac said. “I can still DoorDash, but I have to leave people’s food on their doorsteps.”

As for why Sarac keep working during a pandemic, he had the following to say:

“Saving up for college keeps me motivated.”

Senior A.J. Magasinn began working as a lifeguard at the Yarrow Family YMCA. While he can still go back and get his job post-COVID-19, currently his employer informed him that he would have to file for unemployment after March.

“I got a job simply because I needed money. I have to pay for my own gas, and I wanted to start working again. So, I got a job with my best friend as a lifeguard. This situation is like a pause button. I still am going to go and get my old job back,” Magasinn said.

His employer did support him and other staff by paying them through the end of March, even after the YMCA shut-down.

“I not only miss helping my community by lifeguarding, but I miss socializing with my bosses and my friends from work. My coworkers are all right around my age, and to not be able to see them and talk to them in person while working out is not fun,” Magasinn said. “I miss the routine it added to my life. I knew where I was going to be and what I was doing every part of the day. Now that is [uncertain] because there isn’t much to do.”

As restaurants and eateries have yet to be shut-down for takeout and delivery, sophomore Dominic Land is continuing to work at Baskin Robbins. Baskin Robbins has cut-down their open hours, and as a result, employees have smaller shifts. Baskin Robbins has employees washing their hands frequently and has allowed employees to wear masks if they would like.

“My boss has done a good job of making sure that everyone is working at least once a week to support us. My interactions with customers have been a lot less fun [though] because people aren’t allowed to stay in the shop anymore, so I don’t get to talk to them and ask them about their day. They just get their stuff and leave,” Land said. “This also means that customers don’t really leave tips anymore because I don’t get the chance to talk to them and build that connection which really sucks.”

Junior Daniel Conway, an employee at Chipotle, has been working during the pandemic as well. Brian Niccol, the CEO of Chipotle, implemented a 10% hourly increase in pay for employees working between March 16 and May 10. To keep employees and customers safe, Chipotle has asked employees to wash their hands every 30 minutes. Chipotle has also been regularly checking employees for symptoms of COVID-19.

“Some customers act like nothing is different which is rather concerning, but most are respectful of the tape boundaries that we implemented in order to keep people a safe distance apart, including their distance from the people behind the counter. Their attitudes towards us are very appreciative and many express their thanks for us remaining open,” Conway said.

Conway believes that Chipotle has taken great measures to keep their employees safe.

“I’m not too worried about getting infected because of all the precautions we have in place. I’m being especially careful by washing my hands whenever I’m not cleaning surfaces, or helping a customer,” Conway said.

Club Oak Park, an afterschool day-care center, employed OPHS students like senior Lily Lerner. Club Oak Park is supporting their employees by paying them through May 1.

“Obviously, with the situation now, I have nothing but time and I wish I could still be working,” Lerner said.

For Lerner, what really hurts is not being able to say goodbye.

“I really miss the kids. They never failed to brighten my day, no matter what sort of mood I was in. I’m heartbroken that I won’t get to hug them goodbye before I go to college,” Lerner said.