Nasim Almuntaser and his family, who own Brighton Finest Gourmet Deli, braved the first waves of the pandemic as essential workers, and hoped the worst would be behind them. But now he is saying that the delta variant has him worried they will relive the nightmare all over again.

Almuntaser says that family and friends who work in the bodega are concerned they won't survive another round of the pandemic. With rising case numbers, he believes the ongoing politicization of COVID-19 and the vaccine will make it harder to fight back.

Almuntaser was critical of the city's response last year when it came to protecting essential workers, relying instead on nonprofits to provide their workers with personal protective equipment. But he is calling on city leaders to step up to the plate and educate the small business community about how to stay safe from delta.

"Delta is a killer,” he told News 12. “I've experienced so much loss within my friends and within the community…”

Almuntaser says that while he appreciated the vocal support from his neighbors with the clapping each night, it is now time for city leaders to start treating essential workers with dignity and respect.