“You have to overcome obstacles, and it changes you that way.”

Ryan Rhode, 21, is employed and a full-time student at UW-Milwaukee. He is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering while working part time at the Aldi warehouse in Oak Creek.

(Courtney Bondar) Could you tell me what it’s like to be employed during the pandemic?

(Rhode) It’s very interesting because at work you have to wear a mask, even if you are fully vaccinated. There’s a new variant going around and it kind of gets stressful at times, because you do want to take it off and so you can actually breathe.

(Bondar) How has the pandemic changed you as an employee?

(Rhode) You have to overcome obstacles and it changes you that way. And if it doesn’t then you have to start learning how to change and adapt.

(Bondar) Was there ever a time where your job allowed you to be mask-less if you got the vaccine?

(Rhode) There was one point, but when the new variant started coming around, everybody had to go back to masks.

(Bondar) What about the people around you, did you notice a change?

(Rhode) Some people who got the vaccine, that were happy that they did and that they didn’t have to wear the mask; were kind of angry again when the mandate got put back in place.

(Bondar) How did the mandate change the work environment?

(Rhode) Some positive and some negatives. Everybody still helps each other no matter what, but some negatives are some of the attitudes towards the pandemic. It’s just like, “I don’t care anymore” or others are like pretty strict.

(Bondar) Do you feel your job has become more aware? Could you please explain.

(Rhode) Yes, they always go around and say, “you’re not wearing your mask, could put it back on.” Other people might not feel safe or uncomfortable and then they also have different sanitizing wipes, sanitizers and stuff to wipe down the equipment with.