Ariel Guzman, 27, is a single mom to 7-year-old Joshua and a cashier — an essential worker — at Steve’s 9th Street Market in Park Slope.
With school closed, I gave up the apartment that Joshua and I shared in Gravesend. I work every day and somebody has to look after my son, so we moved in with my mother.
I never thought that my job as a cashier in a supermarket would pose a potential health risk that I could bring home to my son. Joshua is asthmatic and my mom has respiratory problems, so I need to be careful.
Although we wear gloves and masks at work, and customers in the store have to wear masks as well, there is nervousness. I have a lot of contact with people who are touching vegetables and multiple items on the shelves. If things go wrong, I can bring the virus home.
Before, I’d come home and Joshua would run up to me for a big hug. Now, I give a wave when I walk in. Then I remove my gloves, spray my hands, spray the doorknob, change out of my work clothes, shower and put on house clothes. Then I tackle him and hug him and kiss him.
This Mother’s Day, I’m taking the day off. I’m sure we’ll all be eating rice and beans with chicken. We’re Spanish. So of course that’s what we will be eating! Right now, even on a special day, you want what is comfortable and familiar.
— As told to Michael Kaplan
Read more stories about mothers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
