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essential worker
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2020-04-30
Notes from Coronaland--Poems Written Every Day in April 2020
My English professor, Jo Kaplan, pen name for Joanna Parypinski, wrote a lovely collection of poetry while in quarantine in April 2020. The poems are beautiful in their simplicity and accessibility. The language is sometimes surprising, but always profound and universal. I think they have captured the feelings of all of us during this difficult time. -
2020-06-25
The mask debate rages on in America
This viral tweet presents the pro mask side of the mask debate that is taking place in the US. Many anti mask rallies and protests have taken place in recent days to protest health mandates requiring masks in public to prevent virus spread. On the other hand, many people support the mask mandates and argue the anti maskers are the reason for the spike in cases. Here we have a service employ who is required to wear a mask for her job highlighting that wearing a mask to the grocery store is easier than wearing a mask for eight hours like all service workers must do. I chose to include this tweet because it presents the pro mask side of the mask debate. Unlike other countries, the US has had large anti mask and anti health guidelines protests from those on the right wing who feel their rights are being violated. I felt this was quite a uniquely American thing, and so included it in the archive. -
2020-05-29
Grocery Store Worker Still Wears Lipstick Under Her Mask
My brother-in-law is a grocery-store worker in Texas. As the numbers of positive Covid cases rise, he continues to go to work. He believes in his heart that his work is important and that he is an essential worker. Jobs previously overlooked such as truckers, grocery store workers, or waste management, Now Americans are celebrating these workers. -
2020-03-17
Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health Orders: March 17-March 18, 2020
These public health directives issued by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health reveal how the sudden health crisis forced the MA Department of Public Health to quickly adapt to a disease that had stormed the state, the country, and the world. These orders include guidance on the reassignment of physician's assistants to address the shortage of healthcare personnel, the administering of medications to treat opioid addiction due to said personnel shortage, the continuity of emergency medical services, as well as sharing of vital information with first responders. -
2020
Collecting Covid-19 material at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum
The Smithsonian National Postal Museum has historically collected postal material from times of crisis, including 9/11 (https://postalmuseum.si.edu/object/npm_2002.2002.12) and the Anthrax attacks (https://postalmuseum.si.edu/object/npm_2002.2003.3). During this pandemic, postal workers are essential employees. There's been a resurgence in the public's use of mail (including letters to thank postal workers), the census was conducted by mail, and local elections have been conducted by mail. The National Postal Museum will review and accession material once staff is able to return to the building. In addition, we hope to collect oral histories from front-line, postal workers. -
2020-05-25
An Essential Worker Shares His Experience Of Working At A Clorox Plant
Clorox is a company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have a close friend that works for Clorox and they shared this interview with me. The interview captures the realities that COVID-19 is having on Clorox and its employees. The interview highlights the experience of Larry Wheeler, a senior packaging operator who has worked for the company for 29 years. Clorox employees are playing an essential role in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Wheeler's dedication and commitment to working as hard as possible for the common good is commendable. -
2020-04-07
We Are Essential
A healthcare worker wears a PPE suit bearing a strong sentiment that hope is just as essential as those actively fighting on the front lines, hope that we will all get through this together. -
04/28/2020
A Picture of New York City in Crisis
A link to an article from Photography Collections Preservation Project about New York City essential delivery person, artist and poet Kurt Boone. As Boone travels through New York City making his deliveries, he photographs the city during the pandemic. The first paragraphs of the article relate the project: "A bustling city once teeming with urbanites on crowded sidewalks and in jam-packed subway cars comes to a grinding halt. Save an eerie silence made more deafening by the occasional ambulance siren, the events of the city beyond our apartment walls are largely left to the imagination. For most, this has been the picture of New York City ever since Governor Andrew Cuomo’s shelter-in-place order effectively shut it down in late March and indefinitely altered daily life for millions. A smaller population of New Yorkers, however, have been uniquely privy to public life in the age of the coronavirus pandemic. This is the case for the many essential employees currently working in New York City including messenger and street photographer Kurt Boone. Every morning at 7:30 A.M., Kurt Boone–a veteran New York City courier of over 20 years–prepares for a full day of making essential deliveries around the five boroughs. After checking the news for the latest coronavirus updates before leaving his New Jersey apartment, Boone arrives at the World Trade Center in Manhattan only to greet a different city each day. In the U.S. epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis, around 1,000 new coronavirus patients are admitted to hospitals daily. More and more quintessential New York establishments shutter their doors, and the gripping effects of this crisis are increasingly felt by all. Worse, there is no clear end in sight. For Boone, these scenes of strife and desolation are “surreal and depressing.” As a longtime documentarian of urban culture, Boone feels a responsibility to show the world how this pandemic is unfolding in New York City. " -
05/18/2020
Still Perkin' Employee Strike Flyer, New Orleans, LA
A flyer describing why Still Perkin' employees are on strike after being called back to work during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the public can support them. Striking workers demand hazard pay, paid sick leave, PPE, safety protocols, and adherence to phase 1 safety guidelines. The Still Perkin' strikers connect their struggle to that of all New Orleans Hospitality works and striking sanitation workers. -
05/18/2020
City Waste Union Solidarity Press Conference at City Hall, New Orleans, LA
Socially distanced press conference in support of striking hoppers organized by the City Waste Union held in front of City Hall. Hoppers (a.k.a. garbage collectors excluding drivers) employed by Metro Services Group through a temp agency are on strike and have subsequently been fired. The hoppers are on strike to demand PPE and hazard pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro Services Group replaced striking hoppers with prison laborers who are paid below minimum wage. -
05/18/2020
City Waste Union Solidarity Press Conference Flyer, New Orleans, LA
A digital flyer for the Solidarity Press Conference organized by the City Waste Union. Hoppers (a.k.a. garbage collectors excluding drivers) employed by Metro Services Group through a temp agency are on strike and have subsequently been fired. The hoppers are on strike to demand PPE and hazard pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. Metro Services Group replaced striking hoppers with prison laborers who are paid below minimum wage. -
2020-05-15
Stater Bros. Entrance Sign
As we move deeper into quarantine here in California, many businesses have moved towards displaying signs like this. It speaks towards a recognition of the seriousness of what is currently happening, as well as how we are all in this together. In order for essential workers to be kept a little safer and able to do their job, we all have to do our part. *Photograph, found at the local grocery stores -
2020-05-19
The Perspective of a Department Store Employee
N/A -
04/22/2020
COVID themed Grafitti -- Brooklyn, NY on PAUSE ("Policies Assure Uniform Safety for Everyone"),
Graffiti in Red Hook, Brooklyn -- political commentary re: US President and capitalism in the context of Covid crisis -- a moment where we rely heavily on "essential workers" -
05/18/2020
Teddy Bear Hunt and Sidewalk Chalk Art Become Popular Outside Family Activities for Children During COVID-19
Photograph collage shown is from Blanchard, Oklahoma where teddy bear hunts and sidewalk chalk art are popular activities for children to do with their families during COVID-19. The teddy bear hunt is nation-wide activity that was initially based off the book Going on a Bear Hunt by author Michael Rosen and illustrator Helen Oxenbury. Children are encouraged to spot teddy bears on walks with their families and participating houses place stuffed animals or drawings in their windows. Another similar activity that was easily spotted in the same neighborhoods in Blanchard, Oklahoma were detailed chalk art. Children draw pictures on the sidewalks in front of their homes or could view other home's artwork during family walks. Messages of hope or words of praise to essential workers for their dedications were seen as well. Each of the activities coincided with the rise of family-oriented outside walks that were becoming popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580. -
2020-05-15
Gente Peruana sigue trabajando para garantizar la electricidad y minería
Las industrias de electricidad y la minería siguen trabajando, y esta video de promoción conecta este trabajo al economía general. -
2020-05-14
Writing During Covid
How the Covid 19 pandemic has affected my writing and education *Original entry in for "Creator": Professor Estella Gonzalez and Pima Community College -
2020-04-01
“It's really re-upped my belief in God because I know..."
“It's really re-upped my belief in God because I know that through God we will be able to get through this and everything is going to be okay in the end.” “We're not gathering at church anymore but we're doing Zoom meetings and we are having support groups online and that's been really helpful.” “We've been doing some food drives to get food to a lot of the central workers and the elderly and also just like providing emotional and spiritual support for those in need.” -
5/11/2020
Chris Kreizak Oral History, 2020/05/11
The contributor of this item did not include verbal or written consent. We attempted to contact contributor (or interviewee if possible) to get consent, but got no response or had incomplete contact information. We can not allow this interview to be listened to without consent but felt the metadata is important. The recording and transcript are retained by the archive and not public. Should you wish to listen to audio file reach out to the archive and we will attempt to get consent. -
2020-01-05
Heroes of our time
Photographer from Russia for a month filmed people who are forced to work during a pandemic -
2020-05-06
Spending time with family.
During this quarantine I have spent a lot of time with my family. My brother and I always play games together and hang out since we can’t see anyone else. We can’t really go anywhere so we have to find fun things to do at home. I enjoy spending time with my family and hanging out with my brothers. My dad is an essential worker so he isn’t home a lot but the rest of us are. We are making the best out of the situation. -
2020-04-29
FEAR.
Kendrick Lamar's FEAR. off his Pulitizer winning album DAMN. sums it up best. -
2020-04-10
Hospital Thanks Cajun Navy for Food Donation, New Orleans East, LA
New Orleans East Hospital thanks the Cajun Navy for food donation during COVID-19 pandemic. Formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Cajun Navy is a collection of ad-hoc volunteer groups typically comprised of private boat owners who assist in search and rescue efforts in the Gulf Region during floods. -
2020-04-21
Notes From an Essential Worker Series #5
The COVID-19 virus disrupts life, particularly our relationships with those we love. But, relationships are flexible and adapt to circumstance. My mom cut my hair until I left for college. Her grandfather was a barber, and because she cut my brothers' hair, too, she had a lot of practice. After COVID-19 closed our schools and sent us home, my mom cuts our hair again. On her note, she let us know that she had time to cut our hair today after work. Although COVID-19 has closed the barbers down, my brothers and I still have fresh cuts. #FordhamUniversity #VART3030 -
2020-04-28
Notes From an Essential Worker Series #4
The COVID-19 virus disrupts life, particularly our relationships with those we love. But, relationships are flexible and adapt to circumstance. My mom wrote my dad this sign before his big meeting with a German client overseas. He had been under a lot of stress preparing for the meeting, so my mom put this note of encouragement on his office door to let him know she was thinking about him. Although she could not wish him luck in person because she works such long hours now, she still found a way to be there for him. #FordhamUniversity #VART3030 -
2020-04-30
Maskers in the Bronx 4, The Newspaper Man
The newspaper man wearing his mask. -
2020-04-28
Fast Food Worker
A personal account of a fast-food worker during the pandemic. -
2020-04-26
Life as an essential worker during COVD-19
During this pandemic, my restaurant closed. As a workaholic I found myself gong downhill mentally and decided to search for a new job. Now I work as a barista at a coffee shop experiencing high demand during this time. #REL101 -
2020-04-28
Coping with COVID-19 with an Immunocompromised Child
Coping with COVID-19 with an Immunocompromised Child _________________________ My step-daughter, Selena, was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2017 at the age of 3. She had to undergo two surgeries, many months of chemo therapy, and is now missing a kidney and part of her lung. This was a very scary time and health was constantly on the minds of our family. We didn’t go anywhere without a mask, washed our hands constantly, had to avoid anyone who seemed like they might be sick. My wife, then girlfriend, and I had to limit our exposure because we knew that anything we caught would get her and be twice as worse. If we came down with a cough or a runny nose, we either had to isolate to a different part of the house or have Selena stay with her grandparents until we got better to try and keep her from catching anything. Selena missed going to preschool so that she would have less exposure and keep getting healthy. Even with her going into remission in June of 2018, she was diagnosed with asthma after a winter cold turned to pneumonia and she had to be hospitalized in late 2019. The health of her immune system has been a never ending concern. The rise of COVID-19 has been a living nightmare. The constant worry of her getting sick came back and hit like a truck. Watching the number of cases rise throughout the world and in the US and the lack of response was awful. As the virus continued to spread, eventually schools and business were shut down. My wife and step-daughter would be at home and not have to go out, but I did. I was considered an essential worker due to working with government contracts and everyday had to work in close proximity of others. I heard or talked to multiple coworkers who said it was only the flu and corona wasn’t a big deal. It would pass and it wouldn’t affect most people, so why should we have to worry? But I worried. Even if most people would survive it, my daughter might not. She was at the forefront of my mind every time someone complained about stores closing or joked about keeping distant from one another. These were the people who would destroy my family because of their carelessness. Every day of work I had to be on my guard. When work sent home those that could work remotely, I still had to work on site. Even as my workplace began to implement precautions like telling people to stay 6 apart, I had to side step around those that would otherwise walk right past you. I would have to hang back and wait while others would crowd into the bathroom. I avoided lunch rooms and break areas, only eating in my car. I wore gloves all day and wiped my work surface multiple times a day. When I got home, I had to immediately put my work cloths in the wash and wipe everything I took with me to work. I would have to tell my daughter to not hug me until I had changed. I hated having to go to work. They said that the work we did was important and thank you for working during these hard times, but it didn’t matter. I wasn’t concerned about myself or about the work I was doing. I was risking my daughter’s life every single day so that someone else could profit. I had to risk her life because without my income my family wouldn’t have a house to live in or food to eat. I was forced to put her on the line whether I wanted to or not. It was crushing me inside. How would I live with myself if she got sick because I had to go to work? If she died? I asked myself these questions every single day. Finally, after over a month of increased rules and precautionary measures at work, the implemented a system so you could apply to stay home with pay if you or a family member were at high risk. It took two weeks of back and forth paperwork, but at long last it was approved. The constant daily stress subsided to a much more manageable level. There is still some concern. I have to be cautious when picking up groceries, even though we only use curbside pickup. I had to wait outside of Walmart at open to get toilet paper and then decontaminate upon returning home. I worry about the return of COVID-19 in the fall and if these precautions will be implemented any faster or will we have to same slow reaction. I think about all of those still not able to leave work; risking the lives of those they love against their will. I worry for those less fortunate who don’t have income now and are at risk of losing everything because of something out of their hands. I think what I worry most about after all that has happened this year is nothing changing. -
2020-03-23
Iowa Tribe Appeals to Businesses to Help Keep the Community Safe
States essential categories of businesses that can continue operating. "Until further notice anyone who doesn't work in the specific areas deemed essential categories will NOT be allowed in tribal buildings...Wash hands every 20 minutes, unless farming/fieldwork." #IndigenousStories -
2020-04-25
Journal of the Plague Year entry 4- Logan Bellos
Connecticut (where I'm from) has been one of the top states with most Coronavirus cases, however I think we are starting to see the bright side of the tunnel. My mom is a hospital nurse and although her hospital hasn't gotten the most cases, it is still not a place you want to be. However, she's told me that less and less people are coming in with the coronavirus which to me, shows that social distancing is really working for us and it is great to see people doing what they should be. Let's hope we can keep it up. -
2020-03-21
Travel Authorization Letter Allowing a FedEx Essential Worker to Travel During Quarantine in Los Angeles County
A document authorizing travel to FedEx essential workers during quarantine. Shows how strict people and companies assumed the quarantine would be. That people wouldn't be allowed to go out. -
2020-03-30
Amazon Worker Walkout
A headline of an article stating that Amazon workers are walking out over their treatment -
2020-04-08
Social Distancing at Walgreens in Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs
Although many businesses have closed their doors due to COVID-19, pharmacies have kept theirs open. Essential workers, like pharmacists, store leadership, pharmacy technicians, and customer service representatives, have continued to work for their communities despite the potential risks to their health. As a part-time pharmacy technician, it is difficult to social distance while at work, as my job relies on interacting with my coworkers and numerous patients throughout the day. This sign serves to remind its viewer that even small errands during a global pandemic, such as picking up medications, may present a preventable health threat to all parties involved. *Walgreens Corporate; notice distributed to individual stores *04/08/2020; Posted in the pharmacy queue during Illinois’ Shelter in Place #DePaulHST391 -
04/07/2020
Chicago home displaying signs in support of essential workers
A home in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood displays a Chicago flag made of tulle and signs supporting various essential workers, including first responders, scientists, healthcare workers, utility workers, and postal workers. -
03/31/2020
Illinois emergency alert (healthcare workers request)
An emergency alert sent to residents of the state of Illinois requesting licensed healthcare workers sign up to assist in the pandemic. Text reads: State needs licensed healthcare workers to sign-up at IllinoisHelps.net to fight COVID-19. -
04/19/2020
Healthcare workers in Colorado face off against protestors wanting the country to re-open
Protesters have gathered in recent days to demand the country re-open. Healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line are trying to emphasize the seriousness of the situation by acting as counter-protesters. -
2020-03-31
Essential Employee Letters Tweet
A woman was given a letter by her HR Department to carry around in case she was stopped. The letter declared her an essential employee. The woman compared this letter to freedom papers from the early 1800s. -
2020-04-10
Extension of the national Lockdown from 6PM - 4 AM
#YoMeQuedoEnCasa | Conoce las nuevas disposiciones del Gobierno sobre la inmovilización social obligatoria a nivel nacional. Acatemos las medidas y evitemos la propagación del #COVID19. #PerúEstáEnNuestrasManos -
2020-04-05
Pandemic heroes
A grocery store worker stands at the door ready to assist customers, and limit the number of people entering the building. -
2020-04-03
Working in Retail During COVID-19
Working in Retail During COVID-19 -
2020-03-27
Essential Employee: Social Worker
This is an announcement that gives the holder permission to leave their home and go to work, assisting at a young adult transitional program group home. #HIST5241 -
2020-03-27
John Deere U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers
Statement from John Deere about being recognized an essential critical infrastructure worker available via their website. #HIST5241 -
03/22/2020
John With Shrimp Boots
John, a native of East Hampton, NY, continues to work at an “essential business”, the Rouse’s Grocery in New Orleans. -
2020-03-14
Estimated Workers without Paid Sick Leave
An infographic from the New York Times shared on twitter. Published online in the New York Times on March 14, 2020; tweeted by @stuartathompson, https://twitter.com/stuartathompson/status/1238869276196560897.