New York can’t survive without the hard work of thousands of so-called essential workers. We wanted to put a face to their sacrifice during this pandemic.
Photos by Beatriz Ramos | Text by Yehudit Mam
From keeping our streets and homes disinfected to delivering the food we eat and maintaining order during this crisis. We wanted to put a face to the thousands of men and women risking their lives to keep our society functional every day. Needless to say, a lot of them are Latinos.
Abdul is stationed on 5th Avenue, well protected and keeping the peace. He lives in Manhattan.
We didn’t get his name. He seemed to be all by himself with all those packages. We are about to realize the limits of unlimited convenience.
Charlie lives in East Harlem. He is disinfecting a building all the way to the East Village. Obviously, they are taking no chances. The protective gear changes from workplace to workplace.
Mario lives in Brooklyn, but here he is delivering pizza for a joint on 34th Street. He is super essential. He’s Super Mario.
Nilsa is a School Traffic Officer. She’s sent to work even though all schools are closed and everyone is home. She lives in the Lower East Side.
How many unsung people are keeping things running smoothly for us? Oscar works in infrastructure for utilities. He lives in Long Island.
Keira is holding the fort at the Bryant Park subway station. Approached outside her booth, she said: “please don’t get close to me”. She was nice but visibly anxious. She lives in Westchester.
Neither snow, nor sleet, nor gloom of night. Danika cheerfully delivers mail on a sunny morning. Meanwhile, the USPS is getting $25 billion in relief funds to avoid its collapse by June.
Kerri continues to clean the streets of Times Square even though there are not thousands of daily tourists on sight— as usual.
Manuel works for a concrete pumping company. He doesn’t speak English. Construction has been declared essential work in New York.
These are some of the people who keep New York humming. Some of the most essential workers are some of the most vulnerable. Their dignity is striking.
¡Muchas gracias a todos y todas por su dedicación! Please stay safe. You are essential people too.
Politics
Supreme Court hears oral arguments in major abortion access case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments on a case that will ultimately decide the future of mifepristone access in the United States. ...
Trump’s threats to repeal the Affordable Care Act would devastate North Carolina
The Affordable Care Act expanded access to healthcare for millions of Americans. A second Trump presidency could end that progress, especially in...
Local News
Good News Friday: An adorable NC bunny is auditioning to be Cadbury Creme Egg’s star
Our weekly roundup of the good news from all over NC includes a seriously ambitious rabbit in Onslow County. Plus: A high school basketball star...
VIDEO: President Biden Proposes a 25% Tax on Billionaires to Help Fund Programs for All Americans
What do YOU think about Biden’s plan to tax billionaires to fund affordable childcare, paid family leave, and better home care and elder care...