Those who bring us our daily essentials

A lockdown would not be successful if, during its length, people did not have access to essential goods and services, such as groceries and delivery systems.  

This is, perhaps, alongside health care, one of the most crucial components in a crisis period such as this -- seeing that people and their daily needs are being catered to.  

As such, it would be remiss of us to not acknowledge the tremendous contribution of the various supermarkets -- which have remained open during this troubling time, and the staff who work there -- ensuring constant availability of essential goods. 

By providing everything under one roof, and staff members who remain vigilant in terms of cleanliness, hygiene, and social distancing, these supermarkets are ideal places for people to shop, eliminating the need to go to multiple locations, thereby reducing the risk of exposure to the virus when people have to go out for necessities.  

These supermarkets have essentially become beacons of hope during the lockdown, even catering to the needs of lower-income households, who have traditionally preferred wet markets which, at this point in time, pose a greater risk.   

Much like the delivery men and women bringing these necessities to our doorsteps, there is no denying that the staff members working at these supermarkets are nothing short of heroes, providing an essential service while putting their own lives at risk. 

In fact, if not for their hard work and willingness to cater to our needs -- which, in many ways, have continued to provide sustenance to certain parts of the economy -- we could very well have shortages of goods, which would have inevitably led to some sort of panic among the people. 

Let us then take this opportunity to thank the men and women working at these supermarkets, for having made our lives much easier during a time of much uncertainty and doubt.