COLORADO — As we approach the peak of the holiday season, families, as well as individuals, are beginning to look at meals for Christmas week.
We want to know, how are you going about your grocery shopping excursions during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Results:
60% - In Person
28% - Curbside Pickup
12% - Delivery
Editor's note: This poll is not based on scientific, representative samples and is solely for KOAA purposes.
Grocery stores are an essential service during the pandemic and recent concerns have come up from workers and small business owners in the community. As everyone works to get through the pandemic, there are certain protocols in place to keep everyone safe and steps public health leaders are encouraging everyone to take.
Since the start of the pandemic, grocery stores in Colorado have made some adjustments. From adding plexiglass barriers, special hours for vulnerable populations, and limiting the number of people in stores.
With the holiday season underway, concerns have come up over the number of people allowed in grocery stores and whether or not precautions are being enforced.
Union workers with grocery stores in the state including King Soopers and Safeway recently called on their employers to reinstate a $2.00 hourly wage increase or "hazard pay." Between March and May, employers offered some form of "appreciation pay" to employees, not specifically designated as hazard pay.
In a press conference this week, union representatives said they feel there's been a lack of enforcement from business owners when it comes to enforcing public health guidelines.
In a statement, King Soopers said in part, "Our most urgent priority throughout this pandemic has been to provide a safe environment for our associates and customers while meeting our societal obligation to provide open stores, e-commerce solutions and an efficiently operating supply chain so that our communities have access to fresh, affordable food and essentials."
Recent outbreaks in El Paso County have included cases at Costco, Trader Joe's, and King Soopers locations
Concerns have also come up from local business owners in the state, specifically restaurant owners. While grocery stores are at 50 percent capacity- restaurants in level red designated counties in the state aren't allowed to have indoor dining.
"I just feel like small businesses are being singled out, especially in the restaurant industry," Joe Frodge, owner of La Baguette in downtown Colorado Springs, "they remain open but they shut restaurants down, it makes no sense to me."
Read more in our News5 Deep Dive on grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic.
