Workers faced layoffs and furloughs, and those who returned are adapting to a new work environment as winter approaches
Nora Cooper, a bartender and server in Nashville, Tennessee, tested positive for coronavirus in the summer. Despite exhibiting symptoms she was still required to come into work by her employer until her test results came back, and three other employees wound up testing positive as well, even as her management told employees not to get tested unless they direct them to do so.
Cooper and her coworkers sent a letter to management outlining complaints and concerns about the lack of coronavirus protections being followed at the restaurant and improper personal protection equipment (PPE), though problems continue to persist and workers are making roughly half of wages they made before the pandemic because of the decline in customers. She asked to keep her employer anonymous for fear of retaliation.
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