The sound of the city banging on their pots, the ships’ horns blasting, and people clapping, was extremely touching. Like everyone else, I felt a deep sense of gratitude.
The photos of medical professionals asking us to stay home while they put their lives on the line made us realize the seriousness of this pandemic. It was all too real to me because my own sister was in self isolation after she came into contact with it while working as a paramedic.
But we also clapped and cheered for other essential workers — grocery workers, delivery drivers, cleaners, and more. We raised our voices and cheered. I whooped and banged on my deck. The videos made me emotional.
I’m glad we did it.
Recently, I read online that we shouldn’t tip grocery or takeout workers, and not even a few months ago I was reading about how raising the minimum wage isn’t profitable enough for businesses, so we shouldn’t pay workers $15 an hour.
I wonder what those people would say now as they stay at home not needing to work in public.
We’re fickle creatures.
Until this pandemic, people were being given less than $1,000 a month to survive on welfare, but suddenly with the threat of a crumbling economy, the government stepped in and thought $2,000 a good amount to offer those without jobs. What about everyone living on welfare before this? How did we expect them to live before this happened? Many of us turned a blind eye.
Because we’re fickle.
As the pandemic hit us harder, we cheered as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about the importance of keeping our jobs there until this is over. But last week, when it was revealed what dire straits we’re in as a province, swiftly, in the blink of an eye, people’s thoughts changed. They talked about getting rid of jobs.
Again, I cringed at our fickle natures.
And now, in the middle of a pandemic, why are we OK with calling people heroes for working on the supply chain, but not OK with paying them for risking their health?
We can no longer be fickle.
If you banged on a pot and shouted with appreciation for minimum-wage workers who are making sure you get your toilet paper and food, are you going to fight for them to be paid fairly when this is over? Or are you going to go back to thinking they deserve less because they might not have an education or a 9-5 job?
This pandemic has taught us that we’ve been taking essential workers for granted. Many have even fought against the need for a living wage. But yet many of those who fought, are at home able to live healthy lives while essential workers serve people who are disregarding social distancing or the people unaware they are passing COVID-19 on.
Before this, I believed everyone should have a living wage. But you know what I didn’t do? Anything about it.
I just listened to the debate and questioned both sides.
Shame on me.
There is no grey area now in the middle of a pandemic, is there? How can we ever again say they shouldn’t be paid a living wage?
Thank essential workers, clap from your balconies, but don’t forget them when this is over. Demand better for the people risking their lives to make sure you can be fed.
Our thanks must be followed with action to prove we mean it.
We owe them so much more for what we are asking them to do for so little.
Kristi Allan
Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove
