What Is Essential?

What Is Essential?

Pierce Cochrain

The word essential has been tossed around like a plastic bag in the wind of 2020 due to the pandemic. Essential hasbeen used as an adjective before words like essential workers, how it is essential to wear a mask, and how it essential to quarantine. The vaccine may even become essential when it becomes available. The concept of what makes something essential varies byeveryone’s perspective of what they think is essential. That is what makes the word essential unique, because whether something is essential or not is not the same for every single person. Hence, why we have ongoing debates whether or not masks and quarantining are essential to defeat this virus. I think something that is essential is something that benefits my own needs and benefits the greater society as best as possible. This being said, it may not be the most essential element for other people. I am an essential worker. I work as a sales associate at a beer store. We never once got closed due to the pandemic or laws because beer and liquor stores are deemed as essential. Why is it that a beer store is deemed essential, but a gym must close? Is our physical health not essential? Lawmakers have decided what businesses are essential and what ones are not. Although it may not seem essential to them, it is essential to the small business owners who have suffered through this entire pandemic. It is essential that we social distance because there are many health risks with the virus in play. But what also is essential is that we keep our economy going, and not kill off small businesses with closings.

Who would have thought McDonald’s and Wegman’s cashiers would be in a position to risk their lives and families’ lives and be deemed essential? Essential grocery store workers and service workers are put in danger every day because of this virus. The thought never crossed my mind before this pandemic that the word essential would become so crucial in society. It is amazing that minimum wage jobs are now just as dangerous as jobs that had high risk before the pandemic hit. The virus really has given the word essential a larger and more in-depth meaning. It has made the world recognize and truly appreciate the meaning of what is essential. The essential workers that have been affected the most by this pandemic have been healthcare workers and first responders, those who have been on the frontlines of all this since the very beginning. The battle against Covid-19 has been essential; these frontline workers have been trying their best to keep the virus at bay. I think we all can agree what they do is essential no matter what your perspective on them may be. These workers already had essential jobs before Covid, and now have to bear the burden of still fulfilling their jobs throughout this world-wide outbreak. The purpose of essentiality from a pandemic standpoint is so we can defeat the virus and move on from it. For something to be essential, it has to be something we need to do or must do. We must wash our hands and wear masks because it is essential to everyone’s health. Do we continue quarantining? Or is it essential that we stop all the social distancing and try herd immunity? For example, online schooling or remote learning. School is essential for everyone, whether it be pre-kindergarten or college. But failing rates for students are at an all-time high now. So, with learning being essential and social distancing being essential, which do we benefit from more?

Isn’t everyone essential? Everyone from grandparents, to accountants, to teachers even if they are working from home remotely. The definition of essential varies from perspective to perspective. But what we all know is the battle against this virus has been essential. These past nine months have created a greater overall appreciation for what is essential in our lives. Whether it may be essential workers or how the virus showed us social communication is essential. Essentiality comes in many forms; it holds a huge role in our daily lives. By now, I’ve realized the importance of the word essential’s meaning. Hopefully, you have as well.

Pizza to Your Door in a Flash

Joey Grisanti

I belong to the classification of people known as essential workers. I am a delivery driver for a pizzeria. Not too long ago, COVID-19 impacted the importance of my job. I never thought my job would be so highly ranked. I feel as if my job is now elevated to superhero status. Who would not love some pizza and wings delivered right to their doorstep? The class of essential workers began in 2020. As an essential worker, I have to deal with a lot: like risk being infected by COVID, not being able to collect unemployment, and the emotional stress of working during the pandemic. I believe essential workers are significant worldwide. As a delivery driver, I am constantly at risk of being infected by the virus. I touch a lot of germy cash, and sometimes share pens for signatures. I come in contact with lots of different customers throughout my shift. I even have to walk into apartment buildings or nursing homes. Sometimes I leap up buildings that are eight stories tall. Some customers even ask me, “Why didn’t you just take the elevator up here?” I just tell them I would rather take the stairs. I do not want to touch the bacteria-filled buttons in the elevator and stand in an enclosed space with other individuals. Sometimes customers will come to the door without a mask, “I’m sorry I forgot a mask. Is that okay?” At this point, they are already in contact with me and there is nothing I can do about it. The best I can do to protect myself from the virus is to constantly hand sanitize after coming in contact with customers and to frequently wash my hands. As an essential worker, being in the restaurant business can be incredibly stressful. I was the busiest I ever was during the pandemic as a delivery driver. On average, I could take about 2 to 3 deliveries at a time, so I have to be well organized with my routes. At times, it can get very annoying dealing with drivers on the road, especially when they are barely going the speed limit. I also have to be aware of my speed, so I do not get a ticket. Let’s just say, some customers get their food faster than expected when I am delivering. The loyalty of our loving customers is what causes us to be consistently busy. Weekends are always the busiest, but it seems like now every day is busy. The phone is constantly ringing, and there is usually someone waiting at the counter to pick up their food. It is as if I am the Flash running to the phone to take orders. Taking deliveries definitely keeps me away from the drama and chaos of the kitchen. Essential workers are pretty much forced laborers. With unemployment rates higher than ever, essential workers are essentially stuck at their jobs if they want to get paid. Those who did not have essential jobs were allowed to collect unemployment. I started taking a lot more deliveries and made better money because of the pandemic. Job opportunities have definitely changed globally. I was lucky enough to already have a job before the pandemic. After being an essential worker for about a year now, I truly realize the importance of my job. Society seems to be afraid toleave their homes for food, so they get their food delivered instead. It brings me joy to know that I am efficiently delivering customers food to their homes. COVID-19 is no match to the superior staff of essential restaurant workers worldwide.