Dan Rather Praises Retail Workers as Heroes of the COVID-19 Pandemic

"You know who are also heroes? Those working the checkout counters and stocking shelves at supermarkets and pharmacies. Their work, at some risk to their own health, is vital to the health and safety of our country," he wrote.

You know who are also heroes? Those working the checkout counters and stocking shelves at supermarkets and pharmacies. Their work, at some risk to their own health, is vital to the health and safety of our country. Dan Rather (@DanRather)

The Tweet has gone viral with more than 166,000 likes. A store manager thanked Rather for acknowledging this often underappreciated group.

"As someone who works as a grocery manager...I thank you for putting this out there. It has been one heck of a few days. We have been yelled at, hit by carts, sworn at and told to go die of the Covid-19. We also have no hand sanitizer to use...just gloves and that is it," one person wrote.

Several other community members added to the list of those who should be recognized, including: delivery drivers, fast food employees, mass transit workers, first responders, medical staff, truck drivers, cleaning crews, housekeeping staff, and delivery people.

Retailers around the country are working to keep stores clean and shelves full as people stock up on food and home goods. Walmart is reducing store hours so employees can carry out extra sanitizing measures and restock products. On its website , Kroger announced the company has immediate store openings. The company warns consumers they may experience delayed deliveries and limited inventory due to increased demand.

Although Americans have been urged to remain home as much as possible, hoarding food makes it difficult for everyone to access the items they need. Experts recommend having enough food to last you two weeks in the event that you cannot leave the house.