MARKET BASKET WORKER SUCCUMBS TO COVID-19
Brave part-time associate worked at Salem grocery store for 11 years
Market Basket workers, serving the public on the front lines of the war against a pandemic, voiced both sorrow and concern Tuesday after learning one of their ranks has died from coronavirus.
The Baker administration, on the heels of the stunning news, announced further limits to grocery store occupancy beginning today.
Vitalina Williams, a 59year-old part-time associate who worked at the Salem Market Basket for 11 years, “passed away after a brave battle with the virus,” Market Basket said in a statement Tuesday.
“Our hearts go out to her husband Dave who is also a member of our Market Basket family,” spokeswoman Justine Griffin said.
Williams last worked on
March 26.
Two other associates at the Salem location have tested positive for COVID-19 and have “quarantined themselves and their close contacts,” Griffin said, adding that the company is bringing in a specialized cleaning crew to disinfect the store.
“The entire Market Basket community is deeply saddened by this loss,” Griffin said. “We offer our support to her family and coworkers during this difficult time. We have made counseling services available to any colleagues or family members in need.”
News of Williams’ death trickled down slowly to Market Basket employees on Tuesday.
“I feel bad for the family,” said one maintenance worker.
“Everyone is susceptible to catching it and dying from it,” he said, adding that while he’s afraid of contracting the virus, “We’re just trying to keep groceries moving for now.”
Other employees said they were saddened by Williams’ passing during what was already a scary time. Employees of several grocery store chains — considered essential amid the myriad shutdowns wrought by the public health crisis — have contracted the virus over the past few weeks. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state has risen by the hundreds each day, standing at 15,202 as of Tuesday.
Market Basket has been limiting the number of shoppers allowed inside each of its stores, added senior hours and is conducting “heightened disinfection program focusing on hightouch surfaces” including cash registers and register
belts, counter tops, baskets and carts, payment devices and touch pads, the company said. Plexiglass shields are being installed at checkouts, gloves are already available to all associates and the company said it is now acquiring masks.
The Baker administration announced Tuesday it would further reduce the number of employees and customers in a grocery store at one time to 40% of preCOVID-19 legal capacity beginning today.
“This will give more of a uniform distribution across our communities about how to provide a safe environment for customers as well as the workforce,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, adding the directive would be enforced by local boards of health.
Mayor Martin Walsh released a video on social media Tuesday thanking grocery store workers.
“You are on the front lines of this crisis, and you provide a critical service in our day-to-day lives,” Walsh said. “It’s important that you take care of yourself and your health. When times get tough, I want you to remember how much we value your service.”