essential workers

During A Lonely New York Summer, Lincoln Center Brings Music To Essential Workers

Anastasia Tsioulcas

America's biggest arts complex hasn't been able to present its regular programming due to the pandemic. Watch one of the private outdoor concerts organized for healthcare professionals and teachers.

Emerson Weber, a 5th grader in South Dakota, is an avid letter writer whose thank-you note to her mail carrier went viral.

An 11-Year-Old Girl Writes To Thank Her Mailman. Postal Workers Write Back

James Doubek

Emerson Weber, a 5th grader in South Dakota, wanted to say thank you to Doug, her mail carrier, for his service while millions stay at home. Now, she's received dozens of notes of gratitude in return.

Nurses stand in counterprotest during a demonstration against stay-at-home orders due to coronavirus concerns, at the State House in Providence, R.I., on Saturday.

Essential Workers Plan May Day Strikes; Others Demand End To COVID-19 Lockdowns

Scott Neuman

Grocery store and warehouse workers are calling for sick leave and hazard pay, while nurses will protest for more PPE. And others are targeting stay-at-home orders.

Courtney Meadows says the coronavirus has changed how other people see her job as a grocery store cashier.

Grocery Cashier Is 'Putting A Little Positivity' Into Seniors' Shopping Trips

Camila Domonoske

Grocery stores have carved out special shopping times for seniors and others. "Just to be able to spend that one-on-one time with ... them. They definitely make me laugh," Courtney Meadows says.

Willy Solis, who delivers groceries for the app Shipt in Denton, Texas, says the coronavirus pandemic has elevated the voices of workers like him, who are risking their lives to do essential jobs.

More Essential Than Ever, Low-Wage Workers Demand More

Alina Selyukh

In this lockdown, low-wage workers have been publicly declared "essential" — up there with doctors and nurses. But the workers say their pay, benefits and protections don't reflect it.

A fatigued health care worker takes a moment outside the Brooklyn Hospital Center in April. Many hospital workers these days have to cope with horrific tragedies playing out multiple times on a single, 12-hour shift.

Trauma On The Pandemic's Front Line Leaves Health Workers Reeling

Yuki Noguchi

Hospital workers face stresses right now that can compare to fighting a war, and recent research suggests medical staff could be among the hardest hit by the mental health effects of the pandemic.

Cesaro and Ricochet compete during the WWE Live Tokyo on June 29, 2019.

Florida Designates Pro Wrestling 'Essential Business'

Greg Allen

Florida's statewide stay-at-home order no longer applies to pro wrestling. Governor Ron DeSantis made the change and WWE resumed its live television shows on Monday without fans in attendance.

A health care worker instructs people arriving in their cars to be tested for COVID-19 at a new coronavirus drive through testing site in Redondo Beach, Calif.

'We Should Reward Them': Senate Democrats To Push For Frontline Worker Hazard Pay

Susan Davis

The Democratic proposal has two main components: up to a $25,000 pay increase for essential workers, and a one-time $15,000 incentive to help recruit new health care workers.

ABC Little School in Los Angeles now closes Fridays for deep cleaning to help protect children and workers from the coronavirus.

'Essential' Child Care Workers Struggle To Balance Family Needs, Safety

Mariana Dale

Some states are urging child care centers to stay open to keep essential workers on the job. But providers say they're not trained to keep everyone safe, and there's no social distancing toddlers.