Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic got under full swing, and we reluctantly went into lockdown in hopes of curtailing the spread of coronavirus, we started hailing first responders and front-line essential workers as “heroes.” We applauded them from our high-rise balconies, we put up signs that say “Heroes Work Here!”, we sent pizza and flowers and masks. We share memes that show people on the front lines of the pandemic as superheroes. We do this because we want those workers to feel appreciated.
Genuine gratitude is always in fashion, and always will be – especially when expressed not just to make ourselves feel good, but because we are truly thankful for the kindness and hard work of others. However, there is a better way to demonstrate appreciation: Pay these people decent wages. In other words, the CEOs of all those companies and hospitals need to put their money where their mouths are.
Appreciation is nice, but applause and thank-yous don’t pay the bills or cover the rent. They don’t ease the pain of long, hard days or the fear of catching a potentially fatal disease that has catastrophic after-effects of so far undetermined length and intensity. They don’t provide overworked people with protection from fears of getting behind on bills or being evicted if they get sick and have to take time off.
A lot of workers in the United States are overworked and underpaid, not just in health care and other essential services. These people put there bottoms on the line every day for us all, including whiny mask-burners and misinformed COVID deniers who make the spread of the virus a lot easier – and the jobs of healthcare providers a lot harder. I have read a couple stories about front-line healthcare workers dying by their own hands during the pandemic, or just plain collapsing and giving up. Essential workers may be tough, but even the toughest can take only so much.
Our essential workers deserve more than symbolic gestures. They need to be able to keep up with all of their bills, feed themselves and their families, and save up for the future. Society owes them at least that much.
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