Editor’s note: “The new normal” is a continuing series that looks into how members of the Los Medanos College community are coping with a shelter-in-place order amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although staying at home became the new normal for most LMC students after the statewide shelter-in-place order went out, some students who are considered essential workers have had to work increased hours since. Student Blanca Hernandez, who works at a local grocery store, is one such essential worker who has experienced a bump in work hours.

Hernandez, who works in the deli department of Lucky Supermarket, has not only been working more, but she has also received increased pay and noticed a surge in customers as well.

“[We’re] getting a lot more customers bulking up on stuff, and having shortages in the store absolutely blows,” she said.

Hernandez serves customers food at the deli counter, and has been swarmed by people who buy more than they need.

“We had someone come by and take whole blocks of different meats unsliced. It was confusing because those aren’t… easy to slice at home unless you have a slicer like we do,” she said.

As for her current courses at LMC, Hernandez has experienced the most difficulty with the online transition of her language class.

“It’s difficult to learn and adhere to the information,” said Hernandez. “Due to class moving online, I’m becoming more forgetful of assignments and not learning as much as I hoped to.”

Hernandez, like many LMC students, is tired of the new normal.

“I just wish it was over with,” she said adding that “I don’t like having to stay inside all day on my days off.”