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23rd May 2020
08:30am BST

Stuart Byrne, Driver
Mark Law, from Dublin’s north inner city, has worked for Tesco since 2006. He explains that older and more vulnerable customers can avail of contactless deliveries; “I make contact with the customer via the onboard device as I get near the house to let the customer know the delivery will arrive shortly. We’re providing protective bags to pack goods into to leave on the doorstep.” He says that the communication is important, and one part of the job he really enjoys; “The over 65s really appreciate us delivering to them during the pandemic, we build up a great rapport and it’s really lovely.”
Mark Law, Driver
In these strange Covid times, when basic human interactions are so limited, often these delivery drivers see behind the curtain into people’s new daily routines. But also the new way in which we must live, and grieve. Andrew Harte recalls one customer asking for assistance with her shopping, as she was watching her Granddad’s funeral from her own home. “That really stuck with me”, Andrew says.
Andrew Harte, Driver
What are they all looking forward to when things go back to ‘normal’? Well, Andrew can’t wait to join his mates for a pint in the pub. Stuart says he just can’t wait for this strange time to come to an end, and Mark says he’s not sure if what we knew as normal will return, but “hopefully we’ll all continue to help each other out, especially those most vulnerable in our communities.” A lesson we can all take from the events of recent months.
Glen Lawlor, Picker
Chloe Thompson from Coolock says that they’re obviously very busy at the moment, due to the number of customers they’re trying to help, and there’s one aspect of her job in particular that’s missing currently; “I’m looking forward to seeing the older customers back in store, we miss them not being in. They love the chat, and all know most of us"
Chloe Thompson, Picker
The phrase “unprecedented times” is used to such an extent at the moment that you could forget unprecedented goes before other words as well. There has been that exact type of demand placed on particular products, particularly at the beginning of the outbreak here. Michaela Brady says one product in particular stood out as Ireland began to shut down; “At the beginning the demands for toilet roll was crazy, but now with stock measures in place, people aren’t buying more than they need, stock levels are normal again.”
Michaela Brady, Picker
Glen, too, has noticed a change in people’s buying habits, with certain products becoming increasingly desirable in recent weeks; “hair dye false nails , books, cookery books... Home Baking – people are gone baking mad. Flour, chocolate chips, parchment and the decorations for cupcakes are very popular.” Most of us never see these staff, or what they have contributed to Ireland’s Covid-19 response. They have played and will continue to play a vital role in our safety and wellbeing in the coming weeks and months. As well as keeping our bellies full and our home bakeries well-stocked.

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