In a capitalistic society, we express respect for the value of an individual's work. Of course, there's thank you, but as a the old saw cuts, "Thanks never put food on the table." For a couple of weeks, we have forgotten to help essential workers put food on the table. Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) proposed the Federal government give essential workers 50% in hazard pay:
"New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Monday called on the federal government to pay bonuses to front line workers who don’t have the 'luxury of staying home,'" as noted in a post from The Hill.
"Cuomo, during his daily press conference, said health professionals, first responders, transit workers, grocery store employees and other essential workers should receive 50 percent bonuses over what they’re being paid to work during a pandemic.
“'We all say, ‘"'boy they did a great job, the health care workers did a great job, the police — they’re heroes,’”' Cuomo said.
“'Yes, they are, but you know? Thanks is nice but also recognition of their efforts and their sacrifice is also appropriate. They are the ones carrying us through this crisis and this crisis is not over,' he continued."
Many or even most of the services these people provide are essential with or without Covid-19. Isn't it about time for the nation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, as Mark Cuban suggested in the interview on The Daily Show (see yesterday's post).
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