“hero” is a dangerously sticky tag that clings to whomever it is applied. once you have designated a class of workers as heroes, they are likely to remember. how they remember depends on our actions, not theirs.
the reality of our health-care system is that its success is balanced upon a man or woman with a mop and pail; a broom or a dust rag. these are the cleaners, housekeepers and aides whose everyday actions are vital in a pandemic. how well they clean hospitals and nursing homes, how well they clean patients and residents is vital. we just never thought about them very much.
today, we are grateful. full-page newspaper ads declaim: “not all superheroes wear capes.” public and private companies advertise their thanks, their gratitude and their relief that these people go to work each day. politicians praise the front-line workers, the grocery store clerks and all the “essential” employees who keep our country fed, watered and cared for.
alberta sen. doug black said on the radio: “we are indebted to you.” nice words. (note to black: see comment about the veterans’ food bank.)
once this pandemic has been resolved we will likely return to our passive attitude of out of sight, out of mind. we will forget all these “essential” workers; we will permit their employers to reward them with minimum pay, few if any benefits, not including such frivolities as paid sick leave and the other indignities such workers have come to expect.