'I cry before work': US essential workers burned out amid pandemic

Essential workers reported stress caused by increased workloads, understaffing, fears over Covid and struggles in enforcing social distancing

Terri Prunty Kay has worked as a cashier at Walmart in Sonoma county, California since 2011. She had never cried at work because of treatment from customers before the pandemic.

It's been a nightmare," she said. The first three months there were item limits. Everyone was angry and combative. Now it's the masks."