Customers show support for delivery drivers who are swamped with work amid coronavirus outbreak

Posted on : 2020-03-10 17:19 KST Modified on : 2020-03-10 17:25 KST
As more people order daily essentials online, drivers face piling workloads and increasing health risks
Messages of support and care packages for delivery drivers left outside people’s homes. (Instagram)
Messages of support and care packages for delivery drivers left outside people’s homes. (Instagram)

With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus driving up deliveries of essential goods, concerns are being raised that delivery drivers are being overworked and face a high risk of infection. This has prompted a social media campaign of support for delivery drivers, with people putting snacks and masks outside their homes for workers.

In recent days, numerous photos have been posted on Instagram and other social media platforms of masks, healthy drinks, hand sanitizers, ginseng, and coffee outside people’s front door along with the hashtag #ThanksDeliveryGuy. The campaign to thank delivery workers was launched as the spread of COVID-19, the disease resulting from the novel coronavirus, prompted more people to have their groceries delivered instead of going to the grocery store themselves. People have been leaving snacks and personal hygiene products in front of their door or in their apartment corridors along with friendly messages, urging delivery drivers to take some when they drop off a package, oftentimes without any interaction with the customers.

Short messages of encouragement are posted alongside the masks and snacks. “It’s not easy doing your job amid these challenging circumstances. We’re always grateful for you. Stay healthy and safe on the road today!” one person wrote. “The coronavirus is making people have a lot of stuff delivered, ourselves included. We feel bad about that, and we really appreciate you,” another said.

One seven-year-old drew a picture of a delivery man and posted it outside the front door along with the following handwritten letter: “Dear Delivery Man, thank you for always bringing the things we need to our house in rain or shine, and even now, despite the epidemic. You’re always awesome, so hang in there.”

Kim Min-ji, 34, told the Hankyoreh about her participation in the campaign. “My children and I made a care package since we figured delivery drivers are having a hard time because of the coronavirus. They’re really excited when they see us in the elevator,” she said.

Protectives masks left by customers for delivery drivers taped onto an apartment wall. (Instagram)
Protectives masks left by customers for delivery drivers taped onto an apartment wall. (Instagram)

Choi Min-gyeong, 40, has put out some masks for delivery people to take. “I think that delivery people are the ones who really need the masks. They’re out there fighting on the front lines, after all,” she said.

The delivery drivers themselves have expressed their appreciation for the gifts by sending text messages or leaving a note at the bottom of the letter or on the supply box. One social media user said a delivery driver had texted to say, “I wanted to say thanks; that was really touching.”

There is also criticism of the lack of measures to protect delivery drivers, who are facing a heavier workload as orders pile up at hypermarkets’ online outlets.

“The number of orders and the amount of goods being ordered are increasing, but nothing is being done to hire extra workers. The only safety measure available for delivery drivers is wearing masks, and they’re not even being given enough of those,” said the Supermarket Industry Labor Union, part of the Korean Federation of Service Workers’ Unions, under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, in a press release on Feb. 26.

By Kim Min-je, staff reporter

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