Stroud District Green Party has called for frontline workers to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccinations following the reported outbreak at Tesco’s branch in Bristol Road, Quedgeley.Molly Scott Cato, Gloucestershire County Council candidate, urged people to sign an online petition calling on the government to prioritise all frontline workers (including shop staff, social workers, teachers, bus drivers and police officers) as the vaccines are rolled out.
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/vaccinate-our-frontline-workers
“Supermarket staff are the forgotten key workers,” she said. “Their daily contact with the public makes them vulnerable to infection, especially as many shoppers are not wearing masks properly and not observing social distancing. We are even hearing of people shopping in large groups, treating a trip to the supermarket as an opportunity to socialise.
“There is recognition of the risks faced by healthcare workers but the wellbeing and mental health of shop staff gets little consideration. These are people who are putting their lives on the line so that people can eat.”
Molly added: “Being unable to work from home means shop staff, social workers, teachers, police officers, bus drivers, delivery drivers – and many others – are vulnerable to catching the virus. We hope this petition will force the government’s hand on prioritising vaccination for all frontline workers, who are so critical in our fight against this virus.”