I used to work five shifts a month. Amid the coronavirus, I’m working five a week.

As I blend an energy shake and pour a shot of aloe into each tea, I can feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. It’s probably one of my friends sending me a video of their newly-organized room or completed puzzle. Sure, I’ve had a little more free time since school and all activities have been put on hold due to the coronavirus, but my routine hasn’t changed immensely. 

Quarantine has created a huge time void for most people, but not for me — I’m still making the 15 minute drive to work five-hour opening and closing shifts.

Energizing Mission needed more people to help with carry out and curbside order, so going from working a maximum of five times a month to now five times a week. The majority of my “free” time is spent making shakes and teas. And knowing that keeping a job during this time is becoming rare, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to earn money, let alone leave my house.

Sure, I sometimes wish I could follow the same schedules as my friends — sleeping in until 11 and watching movies — but I’m glad I’ve found a way to occupy my spare time. My parents were hesitant to let me continue working, but I explained the measures Energizing Mission has been taking to keep everyone safe: we wear gloves, disinfect all cash and I agree not to touch anything at our house before I wash my hands thoroughly.

I know, I know, only essential businesses can even keep their doors open. But luckily, restaurants can continue with to-go and curbside orders. While everyone is rarely leaving their houses, you’d be surprised how many call in a wedding cake shake at Energizing.

As everything was beginning to close on my first day working, I expected I could maybe occupy my time by reading a book or doing some online shopping since no one would be leaving their house. But instead, with college students being back in town and adults out of their offices, I barely catch a break longer than five minutes until closing. Every time I refreshed the online form orders, new ones seemed to appear, and every time I hung up the phone, it rang even louder a few seconds after.

With most of our customers being high schoolers and school being canceled, the front six parking spots dedicated to pick-up are constantly filled. But even with busy weekdays, we still can’t meet our previous sales.  

Because we might have busier week days, weekends have taken a hit compared to what they used to be — pretty much every day is now the weekend for most people. We’re a place where friends rush to every weekend to claim a table and talk about their plans while sipping on a shake and tea for breakfast.  

Not only have the sales changed, but also the atmosphere. Working in silence with no one to socialize and talk about “The Bachelor” with has definitely made my shifts less interesting. Our customers no longer get to experience our lively, “hang-out” environment where we can socialize as Post Malone plays in the background. Instead we sometimes have time for a 30 second conversation, six feet apart while they swipe their credit card. 

Running with my hands full outside to the cars parked out front and attempting to run payments through the chip in my phone is definitely not ideal, but I fortunately get to see the regulars which includes peers or friends. And I’m really getting everyone’s orders down — Hannah orders a raspberry tea and protein ball online and Katie calls in her peanut butter brownie shake and tea with collagen.

So while quarantine has definitely shifted my schedule, it’s only left me with more shifts to keep busy — of course following all of the quarantine guidelines.