A 17-year-old has been working on the front line after her higher exams were cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic.
Zara Thomson, of Netherlee in Glasgow, went from working a part-time Sunday job at her local pharmacy to a 6-day working week after schools closed in March due to Covid-19.
The high schooler, who was until recently studying hard for advanced higher chemistry, maths and crash higher biology at Williamwood High School in Clarkston, is now working long hours after her exams were cancelled.
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For the past year, Zara worked every Sunday at Boots the Chemists, and intended to study pharmacy or chemical engineering at university upon leaving school.
But now while her friends are stuck at home during lockdown, Zara is working around the clock as a dispensing assistant at Boots Pharmacy in East Kilbride.
Her one weekly shift quickly turned into 6 full working days a week, but Zara is thriving in the hectic environment and enjoying her newfound responsibilities.
Zara’s mother, Jacqui Thomson, 52, says Zara returns home “shattered”, but is “bored stiff” on her days off.
As the first female Junior Captain of The Williamwood Golf Club, Zara is looking forward to spending her days off on the course once it reopens.
And although it’s a great learning experience for Zara who receives training on the job, there is no doubt she has been thrown in at the deep end as pharmacies across the country strain to deal with a huge workload.
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Difficult circumstances are not helped by members of the public attempting to stockpile medication or demanding extra prescriptions.
As an optician, Jacqui understands the challenges of dealing with the general public. She said:
“I think most people would be surprised at how rude the public can be. People can shout and bawl if they want, but there are strict guidelines when it comes to giving out prescriptions.
“It’s a lot for a 17-year-old girl to deal with, but she’s going above and beyond to do her part. We’re incredibly proud.”
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