Labor Day Shoutout

Tomorrow, in the United States, is Labor Day, a holiday supposed to honor those in the United States who labor.

In the year of COVID-19, of course, this has taken on new meaning.

Back in March and April, when a number of states (including my New York State) had to shut down, those classed as essential workers had to stay on the job.  I was fortunate - I am classed as an essential worker, but was able to telecommute. My son, on the other hand, had to continue to work at his workplace.  My spouse, now retired, would have been an essential worker in constant contact with the public if he was still working.  My spouse and I, both senior citizens, would have had to make the choice of continuing to work or not.

At least spouse and I had a choice.

Another of my cousins continued to work retail (and is still doing so) in an essential retail setting.  Another one of my cousins is a teacher in New York City.  I've been told by her mother, who also worked for the New York City schools but is now retired, that many teachers are taking early retirement.  They literally fear for their lives. 

Another one of my cousins is an emergency room in a Midwest hospital and his niece entered nursing school this past August.

For me, and many of my readers, this has become personal.

When my autistic brother in law contacted COVID-19 in April, my family entered a world where our only contact with him was through his health care workers.  He was hospitalized for three weeks and was in a skilled nursing facility set up by the agency that provides his housing and services for another two weeks.  One of their workers took him to the ER and stayed with him until the hospital made her go home.

Thankfully, she did not get COVID-19.  She's leaving her position later this month and our family wishes her the best.  Other employees at similar agencies paid the ultimate price.

The health care workers and support staff we spoke to almost always were able to take the time to talk to us, provide updates, and reassurance, and just kept on keeping on.  They worked hard and yet they took the time to support US.  I will never forget that.

(I will say here that his need for hospitalization was so rapid after he started to show initial symptoms that it was past scary.  I don't have words for anyone who thinks this disease is "the flu" or, worse, a hoax, or even thinks about harassing health care workers.)

I would like to say one last thing.

Essential workers do not care if you support the Democratic or Republican candidate for any office.  They are there to serve you.   By serving you, they sometimes put their lives in danger.

In return, it would be a wonderful thing if everyone in our country could show respect for them in turn by their actions.  Many of these workers put their lives on the line for our health, for our food, for our transportation, for our packages in the mail, each and every day.

This year, honor them on Labor Day with your actions, today, tomorrow and every day.

If you have a story about essential workers (yourself or someone who has helped you), I'd love to know in the comments.  And, as always, I reserve the right to remove attempted posts that are disrespectful or inappropriate.