Essential employees

During quarantine, most Palo Alto High School students stay at home and are kept occupied with homework, hobbies and online extracurriculars. However, some students continue to go to work on top of that, including Paly students Kayla Stitt and Ilene Trach. Although the two of them may work in very different settings, they both have had to shift and adapt to new protocols and environments in various ways. KAYLA & COFFEE Text by

MIA BALDONADO

CHANGES IN WORK AT PHILZ “I F ANYONE HAS a problem with their drink, we just have to have them toss it and then redo the entire thing because flexibility of online school has made her daily routine manageable.

“I’m working a lot more — I’m working at 25 hours a week versus the 14 to 18 I we can’t touch it again after they’ve touched was working during the school week,” Stitt it,” Palo Alto High School senior Kayla says. “But honestly it [school work] is easier Stitt says. “That’s the protocol.” to manage since there’s less homework and

Stitt is one of many students who more time to do it.” works an afterschool job. She has been Stitt has also observed that the coronaworking at Philz Coffee since last July to virus has generally changed the interactions help pay for college next year. between the staff and customers in a couple

Due to the new protocol and shelterof ways. in-place orders, Stitt now has to change “They [customers] will stand way furseveral different work habits. She wears ther apart from the table than they need gloves 24/7, keeps a mask on throughout the entire work day and adjusted to a new system in which customers are limited to placing mobile orders “ They [customers] will stand way further apart from the table than they need and I and I can’t hear them,” Stitt says. “And then other people are way too close and I’m like, ‘Whoa, that’s way too close.’”

Since customers STITT’S ON STAFF — Paly senior Kayla Stitt continues to serve as an essential worker during the shelter-in-place orders with a cheerful attitude. “It [the atmosphere] is very positive,” Stitt says. “I think everyone is very to avoid a crowded shop and maintain social distancing.

Another aspect that has changed is can’t hear them. And then other people are way too close and I’m are no longer filling the shop with its usual, busy ambiance, the employees are practically quarantined happy to see each other happy to get out of the houses... It’s nice to see other people and hang out with each other.” Photo by Kayla Stitt Art by Selena Cao the size of the staff. Only half of the team was allowed to continue working, as the demand for employees has diminished as together during the day with minimal customer interactions. Despite this, the atmosphere in Philz stays positive, as the like, ‘Whoa, that’s way too close.’” — KAYLA STITT, senior a result of the restricted hours the coffee coffee shop provides a place for Stitt and shop is open. other employees to leave their houses and

“We had to get retrained on how to hang out. work during the coronavirus,” Stitt says. “We’re bringing new baked goods in “We get paid the same, but tips are a lot every day for each other to try,” Stitt says. higher.” “We’re getting close — it kind of feels like

Despite a busier work schedule, the a family.” v

CHINATOWN CAFE LIFE IN A FAMILY OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS

Art by Selena Cao

Text by JASMINE VENET P ULLING OUT OF her driveway at 10 a.m., Palo Alto High School junior Ilene Trach gets comfortable, preparing herself for the hourlong commute to work and the day ahead of her. Once she steps foot into the store, business begins as usual. She starts making boba and smoothies, the sound of blenders filling her ears until the late hours of the night.

Yet, this is not a typical work day for Trach. The high pitch hum of the blenders seem to pierce through the empty kitchen, devoid of employees. The chairs and tables on the second floor lie still, not having moved from their spot in over a month. The usually bustling streets of Chinatown are quiet and the weight of the mask on Trach’s face is unfamiliar, a constant reminder of this new way of life under COVID-19.

Ever since the shelter-in-place order was announced in mid-March, Trach’s workdays have been significantly altered. Trach works at Sweetheart Cafe, her fam

SAFETY FIRST — Paly junior Ilene Trach wears a mask at all times while she works in the kitchen making drinks with her sister Angel. As the situation with COVID-19 escalated, Trach’s parents decided it was better for her and her sister to remain at home rather than go to work. “They just want us to stay safe and stay home,” Trach says. Photo by Angel Trach

ily’s business, located in Chinatown, San Francisco. The usual employees have been on paid leave for weeks, leaving it up to Trach and her family to make sure business runs smoothly.

“Typically, there’s also other employees that work here … But then with corona, we don’t have employTrach has never been on the reees anymore,” Trach says. “It’s just us, our ceiving end of such hate. family, so it really depends on us to keep it “[My parents] would tell stories about going and keep working.” how people would just walk in and do all

Sweetheart Cafe, like many other this racist stuff, but you can’t really stop businesses across the nation, had to imthem,” Trach says. “But I’ve personally nevplement safety precautions quickly to help er experienced that.” minimize the spread of the virus, while also According to Trach, people have not keeping their business afloat. In addition to gone any further than yelling. No situation having all their employees go on paid leave, has yet to escalate to violence. the cafe is not allowing customers into the establishment without a mask and has created an online store for customers to place orders virtually. “ My favorite part [of working] is spending more time with

Despite these recent adjustments, Trach maintains a positive my parents because they’re not home a lot.” Phase III of the school’s closure after Spring Break, outlook on the unusu— ILENE TRACH, junior Trach’s parents deal situation. With their cided it was best employees gone, Trach now spends all her for her and her sister to stay home as much time working alongside her sister and her as possible. parents. Although she goes to work much less

“My favorite part [of working] is now for her own safety, Trach believes that spending more time with my parents besomeday, business will return to how it cause they’re not home a lot,” Trach says. once was before COVID-19. “So that’s an opportunity to spend more “I think right now it’s a temporary time with them.” thing,” Trach says. “I don’t know how long,

Being an Asian business in Chinamaybe a year, maybe half a year, a few town, Trach’s family has experienced their months. But I think business will just go fair share of racism while at work, although back to how it used to be.” v

Due to the current situation, business at the cafe has been slower than usual, and once Paly entered