Whose Work is Essential?

And shouldn’t “essential” mean “well-paid”?

The empty streets, the masks, the death reports — the last couple of months have felt apocalyptic. However, thanks to the labour of what we now call “essential workers,” a worse crisis is being averted.

The fear of an actual apocalypse had made what’s important very clear: healthcare, a livable planet, food, shelter, creative exchange, and each other.

Many of the folks standing between humanity and total disaster are in helping professions: teaching, social work…