Maryland Grocery Clerk With Cerebral Palsy Dies From Coronavirus After Working To Help Senior Citizens

A Maryland grocery clerk, who insisted on working to help the senior citizens without taking a break, died from coronavirus on April 1.

The victim, identified as 27-year-old Leilani Jordan, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and was under the set of employees that needed to be sheltered indoors at all times due to her vulnerability to the coronavirus infection. However, Jordan, who worked at a Giant Food store, had insisted on working regularly to help the senior citizens.

Her mother, identified as Zenobia Shepherd, stated that Jordan’s vision was impaired and due to that she required the aid of a service dog. She also added that the “cognitive delays” associated with her condition might have contributed to a lack of understanding of how deadly the virus was.

“It’s just crazy here at work ... but somebody’s got to do it. I’ve got to help the older people,” Jordan had told her mother.

Shepherd stated that her daughter had insisted on continuing to work as a clerk at a Maryland grocery, as she was worried that the elderly might not have access to essential items as shoppers raided the shelves.

“She said, ‘Mommy, I’m going to work because no one else is going to help the senior citizens get their groceries,’ ” said Shepherd. “She only stopped going to work when she could no longer breathe."

"She was doing everything for them: Helping them put their groceries in their walkers, to helping them get into lifts,” she added.

After developing symptoms related to COVID-19, Jordan got tested for coronavirus in late March. She was hospitalized a few days later and was put on ventilator support as her condition worsened, however, Jordan succumbed to the illness a few hours after she was intubated.

According to The Washington Post, Jordan died in her mother’s arms last Wednesday. It wasn’t clear as to how she contracted the virus.

Giant Food responded to the clerk’s demise and confirmed that Jordan had worked at the store till March 16.

“We are saddened to confirm that a store associate from our Campus Way South location in Largo passed away from COVID-19. We were informed of her passing on Thursday morning by her family. We can only imagine the heartache they are experiencing and have our support during this difficult time,” the store management told The Baltimore Sun last week.

Jordan's stepfather, identified as Charles, said his daughter had recorded a secret video, addressed to her family before her condition worsened. He had reportedly found the video on her phone while going through some of her items. Jordan also had removed the password on her phone and hence he could unlock it.

“She made a video saying goodbye to all us, and wished everybody the best,” Charles told CNN.

“She told us bye; her sisters, (and her service dog) Angel, bye; and all her friends. She told them, you know, ‘See you on the other side.’ ” he added.