April 7, 2020

Hazard pay

Tonight is a tough one. John Prine is gone. Damn. Today is a tough one because people are dying and people are suffering and afraid. Today is a tough one because thousands in Wisconsin risked their lives to vote. Today is a tough one because we see how greed and lack of judgement compromise honor.

It doesn’t have to be this way. My new hero is the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Her COVID response is a lesson in leadership. We can all do better.

The thing about John Prine and his music is that he saw the beauty and value in the least of us. The thing he would want us to do is to pay attention to the little ones doing all the essential work right now. Yes, doctors and nurses deserve our thanks and admiration for the work they do. But there are so many other workers out there putting their lives on the line everyday in this pandemic. Maybe they work in a grocery store, perhaps a post office or pharmacy. The housekeepers at the hospitals and nursing homes. And the cooks still feeding us. The bakers. The postal workers and the ones who deliver. And the farmers and the field hands. They are the ones that feed us all. And often they don’t have a choice or the right tools for protecting themselves. Some companies have increased their pay a dollar or two an hour. But will that be enough if they get sick? They deserve hazard pay and hazard prayers. Thank them when you see them doing their job. They are heroes too.

Today is a tough one. There will be more, but we can get through this if we keep treating each other with kindness and respect; and, please, stay sensible and keep flattening the curve.

Wash you hands !

And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available, and not related to the organization I work for. Thanks for reading.

https://theconversation.com/three-reasons-why-jacinda-arderns-coronavirus-response-has-been-a-masterclass-in-crisis-leadership-135541

https://www.modernhealthcare.com/labor/some-healthcare-workers-need-stronger-covid-19-protections