(WXYZ) — When you head out to the grocery store, remember just how hard people are working to keep those stores open during this unprecedented health crisis. They're making sure you have what you need to stay healthy and fed.
Some workers are calling on the public to change their shopping behavior so that the government doesn't have to step in.
"People will not stay away for their non-essential items and I don't think they understand how crucial it is to the health of the grocery store people," one manager told us.
They spoke to us on the condition we not share their name, because the worker isn't allowed to speak to the media bout work.
The problem: Some people are still shopping like they used to.
Coming in groups, socializing while they shop, coming in with children, or coming in to get something frivolous – like only a half gallon of ice cream.
As public health officials have said, this is not the time for shopping if you absolutely don't have to.
Stores in Italy – where the outbreak continues to get worse – have restricted shopping by putting limits on how many people are in the store and even limiting shopping to just 10 minutes per person.
"I just wish people would take it seriously, so we don't have to take it to that level," the worker said. "It's people who are going to cause it."
If you look at people coming and going at the Imperial Market in Southfield – you can tell many people are taking the extra precautions. But not everyone.
"We are not asking for a shut down. that is the last thing we want. We know people have to eat. We are happy with business and most customers are great, but please consider us," the worker said.
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