Tuesday, April 6, 2021

E is for Essential Workers

This year for the A-to-Z Challenge, I'll be looking at major events that happened in 2020 [the year we would all like to forget, so let's look at it first, before flushing it down the toilet].

Welcome to E!  We're looking at – ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Covid-19_%27Alert_Level_4%27_highway_sign_%27Essential_Workers_We_Thank_You%27,_Wellington.jpg

Doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy to know that society deems your job “essential”?  Healthcare, grocery, police and fire services, repair and maintenance.  Because of the type of law I practice, my job is considered essential because I provide legal support for essential workers.  I still went to the office almost every weekday in 2020, although I do have a computer at home to log in to the office if necessary.  The only things that really changed for me was my commute time reduced by half [Yay!], and I made most court appearances using technology rather than showing up in person.

But what about other jobs?  Hotels, restaurants, hair stylists, theme parks, gyms, churches, GOVERNMENT WORKERS?!  Some of these I understand in the short term, but others make no sense.  

Pretty much every court and city hall was closed to the public.  Is that not an essential job?  Here in CA, courts are now open but most city halls are still closed for in-person.  What about school teachers?  Almost everyone agrees that kids learn better in person, but most schools closed for at least a few months and when they re-opened it was all online.  Here in CA, many private schools are now back in person but most public schools are still online until Fall 2021 semester.  How many of you think a teacher is not an essential worker??  We complain about the government but is it really not essential?

I don't know about you, but telling a hotel worker, a server or dishwasher in a restaurant, the lady who styles my hair, and all the other folks who go to work and contribute to society, that they're not essential is not good for politics, for economics, or for society.  I consider all those people essential too.  Our society would be lesser if we didn't have those people and those jobs.  The government wouldn't have any money [that it didn't print itself] without folks who are working, no matter what the job.

We're all essential workers.

What do you think?  Let us know in the comments.

Here's a teaser for tomorrow, letter F:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tired_brown_bear_050701.JPG




12 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Yep, we're all essential. Fur is a good guess!

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  2. I was annoyed when my work classified me as essential (making TV shows, really not essential), meaning I had to keep going to work while everyone else was off!
    https://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/06/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-e/

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    1. I've worked every day too. In the office. The best part is - lack of Los Angeles traffic!

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  3. If part of being essential has to do with keeping people sane by distracting, even my business is essential.

    I just wish the companies would recognize the truly essential and pay them their worth.

    I know that is a forest scene, but your posting will be a surprise to me

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  4. I had to change the mode of my work, but got hammered by companies wanting me to design a product for them after a few of those "fifteen days to flatten the curve diets". I have been sending out plans to them at too fast of a pace for my liking, but I might retire when I am done.

    Just got home from being completely Pfizerated. Second shot done and it was an incredibly well scripted trip. Eighteen minutes after driving in I had my shot and was ready to go, that only took seven minutes. It's amazing, considering how testing worked a few months ago.

    My hobby, and business, is kayaking, so I only had 6 months of stagnant pandemic fatigue, though it happened right at the start of last years' fly fishing time, oh well, that is water past the kayak.

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    1. Glad to hear of your "amazing" vaccine appointment. And I hope your business is back in operation now. We all need a bit of diversion at this point.

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  5. I am not an essential worker but fortunately I was able to keep working from home. Forest fires?
    Janet’s Smiles

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    Replies
    1. Nice to know you were able to continue working from home!

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  6. The definition of essential worker certainly got twisted in the eyes of most people when covid hit, I think. I hope it means people have a little more respect for workers they encounter everyday.

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    1. I really like this observation. "Respect for workers we encounter everyday." Definitely agree.

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