In every community, there are frontline workers that are tirelessly working to keep the community alive. They keep supplies available and prevent the virus from further spreading. Despite the risk on themselves, these workers are constantly working hard for over a year, and they need your support to prevent burnout.
What you can do to offer your help is by using what you know to help them. You can offer your skills or your time to provide them with services that will ease their troubles.
Provide legal assistance
It is truly a tragedy when frontliners, despite keeping society alive, are stigmatized and facing discrimination. There are some people who have become so afraid of the virus that they are kicking out nurses from their own rented apartments to prevent them from bringing home the virus. A lot of them have also not been allowed to take the needed leaves and breaks because of the lack of manpower. There are some who want to fight back but with uncertain times, it will be difficult.
Fortunately, there are already truck accident lawyers and forms out there that are offering to represent them pro bono. As businesses are trying to keep shelves stocked, they tend to forget that employees have rights to their safety. Many are forced to work overtime without being compensated. People who specialize in employee rights will be a huge help in getting them the benefits that they deserve.
Provide basic household supplies and assistance
Frontline workers are not just their professions. Outside of their jobs, they also have families to take care of. Since the medical field and the logistics industry is often associated with long hours, the result is that many have not had the time to take care of basic household chores. If you know someone who faces these challenges, you can offer your help by taking some of the work off.
At the very least, what you can do is volunteer to help at feeding programs that help give food to hospitals. It may not appear much, but the fact that you are giving something to them shows your appreciation for their line of work. Similarly, these programs can also help low-wage frontliners such as grocery staff. Some of them did not choose to be frontline workers, but they have to maintain their job in order to survive.
Child care solutions are another thing that these workers need. Since they are now working more hours than usual, it means they need to put more money on daycare and child service to look after their kid. For a lot of them, this is something that they do not usually do, so it puts a strain on their budgets.
Follow protocols and guidelines
You may have already noticed that the way businesses and hospitals operate has changed in the new normal. Only a limited number of people are allowed at a certain time, and most services are now limited. It may be inconvenient on your part, but you should continue to respect and follow them regardless.
These new guidelines are in place for both the protection of the customer and worker. If you were able to ask for a lot of additional help and service before, it may not be possible now because businesses are limiting contact. Following these protocols and not making a fuss can be a huge help to frontline workers. You lessen the work and stress that they are already experiencing while also valuing their health.
Advocate for increased pay
Despite the presence of multiple vaccines, COVID-19 is still a huge threat. Mutations are forming from all around the world, and there are still a significant number of people that need vaccines. To say that frontliners deserve increased pay would be an understatement. The fact of the matter is that hazard pay is not enough for the increased expenses that they have to pay since the pandemic.
Some of the lowest-paying jobs are the ones that are considered frontliners. Grocery staff, cashiers, and fast-food workers have the lowest wages there are, yet they continue to do their jobs. At the very least, we should help their voices be heard and support the increase of wages. This will not only benefit them, but it can also have a ripple effect on other jobs in the industry.
In these trying times, what we can do is help lift each other up so there will be a tomorrow for all of us. No matter how small, those who have less will appreciate all the help.
