“There was a period at the beginning where our parcel volumes met our Christmas levels. One to two million parcels per day, Canada wide. It was an incredible amount.” He continued, “But you realize all retail had closed and people were ordering online.
Paliwoda stressed the importance of basic public health principles. “Find a way to co-exist [with Covid] and live your best life, because you have to. Number one thing: wash your damn hands,” she stated emphatically. Secondly: “Wear a mask.” [This interview was prior to the public health order by the City of Edmonton mandating mask wearing.] “You come to my hospital and stand beside someone who is taking their last breath. Save your thanks for doctors and nurses who are holding the hands of people who are dying.”
Working in one of the few businesses open to the public was a unique experience. “I was totally aware of the pandemic. I would get stressed watching people and I wanted to tell them, ‘You don’t need this, honey,’ while they’re screaming spit all over the food,” she said. “Everything was so amplified.”