COVID-19 for those on the Frontlines
The virus known as COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has wrecked havoc on this country and in fact, the world. This virus is bad for everyone, but mostly for those on the frontlines. The people who get to stay at home and do not have to be exposed to people who possibly are infected have it hard, but in my view, much less so than those in healthcare and other essential workers.
The term essential worker has taken on new meaning since this whole thing started, it is a term many were unfamiliar with prior to this entire situation and for some, they still do not know exactly what an essential worker is or what they do, or even how important they are to our survival in times like these.
Grocery store workers, restaurant staff, delivery drivers, taxi drivers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and janitors are just some of the many essential workers who keep this world functioning through the lockdowns and chaos of this pandemic and they should be praised and appreciated. Many people just think of health care staff as essential, but without grocery store workers and cooks and cashiers then people would not get their food, without pharmacists then they would get their medicines, without drivers they would not get to run the important errands, and so on.
So, you see that these workers are essential and on the front lines to help in this difficult time. Of course, doctors, nurses, and EMTs are vital and risk their lives daily, but so are these other workers who also risk their lives to keep things going. The medical people are at the highest risk and they should be praised up and down, they are on the front of the front lines and I have nothing but praise and admiration for them.
I am part of the other group of essential workers who are working through this pandemic, grocery store workers. Now, I say this with certain level of humility, with an understanding of the bigger picture, and with immense gratitude for other essential workers and the great work that they do day in and day out.
Grocery store workers are there to stock the shelves when many other types of workers are home and cannot be part of the workforce. They are there risking their lives so America can eat and for that they should get a ton of praise and recognition. They are indeed on the front lines of this global pandemic and continue to work despite being around customers who do not adhere to the social distancing rules, despite lockdowns, despite the fear of coming down with this virus.
The front lines of this come in many forms. Besides those who man the grocery stores to feed people or the doctors and nurses who take care of the patients in war zone like environments in our emergency departments and hospitals of America, there are countless of others who keep America in business and running, even in the middle of shelter-in-place orders and a nation locked down.
You have your pharmacy employees who fill your medicines, you have those working at gas stations so you can fuel-up your vehicle, you have those who deliver your pizza, or the laundry attendant, or even those who many may not be too fond of, the police men and women who keep our streets safe in the middle of all this mess, as we all know, just because we are in a pandemic, that does not mean that crime stops.
The front lines. Scary for those working out there in the world when the chances of them getting this virus grow with every day that they suit up and show up to keep things going. These people do not ask for praise or to be called a hero, just that people who do not have to work in such jobs respect the rules so that everyone can stay safe and that we can get out of this hard situation sooner, rather than later.
It used to be that we would thank the military and police for their service and we should always do that as they do so much to protect us both before this and now, but there are others who people are thanking for their service these days and this is our new reality and these are the people who are keeping things going in the middle of all of this chaos. Walmart employees (especially ones who stock the shelves and directly interact with customers and put their health and lives on the line), gas station clerks (who do the same), Uber and Uber Eats drivers, and the many other workers who are essential to our survival and are risking it all.
These people are essential. They are on the front lines of this pandemic, and they are there for us all. They should be thanked and should be appreciated for everything that they do. These are hard times for everyone and they would be much harder without those on the front lines working for us for minimal pay and in high risk situations. It is important that we recognize them for what they do, especially now.
This pandemic is not going away anytime soon, so, it is important for us to look at the bigger picture and be selfless servants for all those who are going through hard times during this and that is what those on the front lines do every single day. They put their lives on the line for little pay and high risk and while yes, like many they do need a paycheck, they do it for more than that, they do it so you and everyone can survive and have the things we need during this difficult time.
The next several weeks and perhaps months will be a challenging time for every single of us, but we should rest assured that those on the front lines are there and will be there through this difficult time to help make things less crazy and more normal. I must say though, that we should take this crisis seriously enough to act selflessly around these people and respect them enough to practice social distancing to ensure their safety and our own as we go about doing our essential tasks.
We can all get through this, thanks to those on the front lines of COVID-19!
