WNY – Several months ago in many parts of New York State, quarantined residents in city and suburban neighborhoods cheered for essential workers — doctors, nurses, and first responders — to thank them for their service.
However, the range of workers we are depending on to keep our economy intact and to keep our communities strong during this pandemic is much broader and diverse than one might think. Often overlooked, inconspicuous and unseen, there are many workers on the front lines who are also heroes in every sense of the word.
The reality is essential workers in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis are social workers, cleaners, payroll clerks, probation and correction officers, librarians, family and childcare workers, mental health therapy aides, mechanics, laborers, school support staff and even those who provide assistance for victims of domestic violence.
A few of these public service workers do not even earn a living wage—and are often forgot about when the big picture comes into view. They are presently risking their lives and their family’s well-being to serve the greater good and they deserve our respect. They deserve our honor. They deserve our thanks for showing up every day while enduring extraordinary circumstances.
These photos of our CSEA members who serve on the front lines should be a visual reminder that celebrates the professionalism, hard work and dedication it requires to deliver on a promise of a job well done.
Here is a look at some of the faces of CSEA.
Images and video by Ove Overmyer, CSEA ©2020.
