As we navigate the chaos of the pandemic, I remind myself of two precious freedoms: the ability to step outside and the chance to buy food for my family. These small blessings are what keep me grounded in these turbulent times.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to enter grocery stores, find shelves stocked with food, and prepare meals for my three kids. However, amid all this, many seem to overlook the workers risking their health for our well-being. These individuals, who put themselves and their loved ones at risk, deserve our recognition and support. Imagine facing your job every day with the fear of illness lurking around the corner.
Take, for instance, the friendly employee at the local fast-food joint. I see him daily, always ready with a cheerful greeting when I stop by for a drink. Just yesterday, as he passed my card back in a plastic bin while wearing gloves, he shared how they were working hard to meet the high demand at the drive-thru. He doesn’t have the luxury of staying home; he has a family to support. His role not only fulfills a basic need but also brings a bit of joy to those he serves, especially my kids, who eagerly anticipate their weekly treat.
Then there’s the dedicated woman I observed tirelessly stocking toilet paper at the grocery store. With every roll she placed, it vanished almost instantly. She had to remind customers of the one-package limit as some rushed to invade her personal space.
The truth is, the food we consume is made possible by those processing it, transporting it, stocking it, and serving it—all while hoping to shield themselves from illness. Not only are they performing their regular duties, but they are also delivering food to cars and dealing with overwhelmed online orders. These workers are attempting to maintain a safe shopping environment, cleaning surfaces, and explaining shortages to frustrated customers.
Is it fair to pay these essential workers the minimum wage while they risk their health for us? With most businesses closed, these individuals are crucial to our daily lives. Would you accept such risks for just $7.25 an hour? It’s an absurd notion.
The federally mandated minimum wage in the U.S. stands at $7.25, but that figure hardly qualifies as a living wage. For many, earning this amount means living in poverty. States like Seattle and New York are already working to establish minimum wage standards that better reflect the cost of living—something desperately needed in these challenging times.
While it’s impossible to assign a monetary value to the risk of exposure to COVID-19, service workers deserve fair compensation for their critical contributions during this crisis. They are the backbone of our food supply chain.
Some retailers are stepping up, temporarily increasing employee wages due to the surge in business. As reported by Womply, grocery stores have witnessed revenue spikes of 30 to 60%, with some states even surpassing 100% increases. Companies like Walmart, Target, and CVS have raised worker wages by $2-$3 an hour during this period, while Starbucks is providing emergency pay for affected employees.
However, is this enough? Reports indicate that many essential workers still lack adequate protections, benefits, or pay raises. Factory workers and farmhands are particularly vulnerable, often facing dire conditions without any support.
Raising the minimum wage is overdue, and the pandemic has highlighted the necessity of ensuring these workers feel valued and respected. With nearly 40 million people living in poverty in the U.S., many of whom are minimum wage earners, it’s critical that companies begin to offer fair wages to those who keep our society functioning.
We can only hope that the essential employees who serve us during these tough times will see their worth recognized long after the crisis has passed. For a deeper dive into the importance of fair wages, check out our other blog post here. And for those interested in pregnancy resources, the CDC offers excellent information.
In conclusion, let’s advocate for a living wage for those who work tirelessly to support our communities.
Leave a Reply