The Impact of the Working Class vs. Millionaire Philanthropy in COVID-19: Who Deserves the Recognition?
COVID-19 has placed the world into a health, economic, political, and social crisis. People are unable to get tested for the virus, being laid off or are unable to work, being exiled back to their hometowns due to schools closing down. There is growing concern for the lack of medical supplies and facilities, the stock market plummeted and is causing economic instability. These are times where the public looks to those in power, like government officials, celebrities, and philanthropists. However, unsurprisingly, our government representatives leave us in a standstill, as there have not been much progress made for economic aid and stimulus programs, while there are ordinary people at the frontline of this epidemic who are expected to report to work as an “essential” or “necessity”, but were/are not valued as such otherwise. Celebrities and philanthropists are leaned on during these times to donate, like Rihanna’s $5 million donation or Christian Sirian’s facility switch to help make masks, and will be the people to be remembered historically for aiding in this epidemic, similar to how the most privileged people involved in historical movements are most remembered, rather than the groups of people who struggled through the causes.
I believe that those at the forefront of this epidemic, who are those in the medical/healthcare field and who work in hospitals, food business employees (including grocery employees, waiters/waitresses, ect), deliverers, ect. are not being paid adequately for their necessary services during this time, yet are considered “essential” and must continue to work. Simultaneously, the elite are able to self-quarantine and isolate themselves and donate money or the labor of their employees, while receiving accolades for their help. Although their money and the work of their employees are helpful during this time and are extremely impactful, I think as students in a philanthropy class, we must question whether good is being done well; did they accumulate their wealth in a way that does not exploit other people? Why should they get the recognition for providing solutions to a global pandemic, while those who must work during this pandemic are not paid sufficiently and not receiving recognition in the same manner? In relation to our class discussion and readings, especially regarding million/billionaires and philanthropy, I think it is critical to analyze the morality of people’s accumulation of wealth; Are their employees being paid fairly and given adequate benefits? Is the reason this person has accumulated so much wealth due to making a imprint on humanity and our advances, or is it due to the exploitation of the working class?
In conclusion, it is important to be critical of these factors, especially as millionaire/billionaire philanthropists gain the recognition and monetary value that the working class deserves, especially with the current situation of COVID-19, as those in the working class are continually showing up to work despite the risk of catching this virus. This also stands for other organizations, like the ones we are considering to give $11k; we must be critical of whether their employees are being prioritized and treated fairly, while still being able to work toward their causes. I think this is important to consider because the reason that these organizations or people can make the impact they do is attributed to the work of their faithful volunteers or employees. When analyzing the finalists of our class, I think it might be worthwhile to consider how they have responded to COVID-19, especially regarding their volunteers or employees and how they plan to continually make an impact in a fashion that is morally correct.
I believe that those at the forefront of this epidemic, who are those in the medical/healthcare field and who work in hospitals, food business employees (including grocery employees, waiters/waitresses, ect), deliverers, ect. are not being paid adequately for their necessary services during this time, yet are considered “essential” and must continue to work. Simultaneously, the elite are able to self-quarantine and isolate themselves and donate money or the labor of their employees, while receiving accolades for their help. Although their money and the work of their employees are helpful during this time and are extremely impactful, I think as students in a philanthropy class, we must question whether good is being done well; did they accumulate their wealth in a way that does not exploit other people? Why should they get the recognition for providing solutions to a global pandemic, while those who must work during this pandemic are not paid sufficiently and not receiving recognition in the same manner? In relation to our class discussion and readings, especially regarding million/billionaires and philanthropy, I think it is critical to analyze the morality of people’s accumulation of wealth; Are their employees being paid fairly and given adequate benefits? Is the reason this person has accumulated so much wealth due to making a imprint on humanity and our advances, or is it due to the exploitation of the working class?
In conclusion, it is important to be critical of these factors, especially as millionaire/billionaire philanthropists gain the recognition and monetary value that the working class deserves, especially with the current situation of COVID-19, as those in the working class are continually showing up to work despite the risk of catching this virus. This also stands for other organizations, like the ones we are considering to give $11k; we must be critical of whether their employees are being prioritized and treated fairly, while still being able to work toward their causes. I think this is important to consider because the reason that these organizations or people can make the impact they do is attributed to the work of their faithful volunteers or employees. When analyzing the finalists of our class, I think it might be worthwhile to consider how they have responded to COVID-19, especially regarding their volunteers or employees and how they plan to continually make an impact in a fashion that is morally correct.
ReplyDeleteYou may know by now that I derive pleasure from criticizing those who fail to use their power in the right way. I’m referring specifically to billionaires, politicians, and those in the scientific community. But, at this point in time, I think it’s best to commend and support these individuals. Complaining wouldn’t solve anything. You may have also noticed that more and more people are beginning to send positive messages to doctors, scientists, and even those in the corona virus task force. They are quite aware of what may happen if they fail to do so. These individuals are arguably our only hope at this point. If they do not find a cure or vaccine, the U.S economy may crumble. Getting out of a recession, as you may already know, isn’t always funny.
Few months ago, I heard some people putting all the blame on scientists and the government. Some claimed, “Corona virus a bio weapon…; it originated from a lab in China”. Some also said, “The Trump administration wasn’t prepared for this pandemic…; it could have responded a bit earlier”. This, to be honest, is very unnecessary. If you anger Trump, he might just leave civilians to fend for themselves. I’m not trying to be funny here, but we should try to set a time to criticize and a time to praise those in power—even if it is unwarranted. We must support these powerful individuals, at least for now. It’s imperative. “Criticisms, according to Dylan Matthews, “could lead wealthy donors to move away from giving.” The rich and those in power are our only hope right now—even though I don’t feel comfortable saying it.
To be frank, I wouldn’t have ever known the term “essential workers” existed if it was for this pandemic. But just as you mentioned, it took a whole pandemic to prove to the United States that those who are paid extremely low wages or work these lower income jobs are what we consider essential. Although we recognize that they are essential we see a lack of resources, or even higher pay being allocated towards these individuals. What benefits will they receive from donating their time and effort towards this pandemic or will they receive any at all? Will only the millionaire philanthropists’ who donate their money benefit? I think this says much about our country- those who are privileged are prioritized.
ReplyDelete^Kassandra Moran
DeleteThe previous comment was published with another account of mine.
I agree and think this pandemic, while it is terrible and it's effects insurmountable, has been efficient in highlighting America's vulnerabilities. Not only in discovering the inadequacies of our healthcare system, but also in the distribution of wealth and our ability to sustain ourselves in a moment of trial. While "essential workers" may be providing a service that we cannot function without, many "nonessential workers" cannot function without a salary, as most Americans do not have enough savings for a crisis like this. The designation of essential vs nonessential is imperative in lowering the number of people infected, but it is also imperative to know the financial discrepancies for those who cannot afford to be out of work. So as we look towards a solution, we must take into account the lack of infrastructure, but also the inequitable distribution of resources, and hopefully this will be an illuminating moment to the effects of income inequality.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and I agree with the critical questions you raised about the working class versus billionaires. It's interesting to see how everyone is encouraged to contribute or participate in efforts to combat COVID-19, yet only the wealthy are highlighted. A lot of healthcare workers that have risked their own lives to help others are always grouped together in articles - nameless heroes. There should be more awareness on those who have lost their lives in their effort to fight against this pandemic. While money/donations are definitely helpful during these times, we cannot forget the others who are risking their lives to provide us the services we need - restaurant workers, grocery store workers, government workers, etc.
Two examples:
First, my old afterschool teacher posted on Facebook about his feelings for the DOE and the school he was working at. There was a confirmed case in the school, but because the case was self-diagnosed and not from a hospital/doctor, the school called the teachers back to continue working. Although schools are not in session for students, the public school was allowing families to pick up free meals. He has a child and wife at home, and he made the decision to take his sick days instead of going to work. However, it is disappointing to know that schools weren't giving paid leave to teachers who wanted to protect themselves and a lot of them still went.
Second,
My mother has been working from home; her company sent the employees home soon after Binghamton University closed. However, my father is a government worker and has been asked to continue to go to work on a rotation. He travels by public transportation, and while he would rather stay home, he knows that that's not a viable financial option.
There are so many cases where people are not in the financial situation to give up on their jobs that are deemed "essential" and they put themselves at risk for us. While I do think that these jobs are essential to the rest of us and our way of lives, I believe that the government should provide better preventative supplies for these workers.
A lot of healthcare workers/front-line workers do not have enough preventative supplies, and they come into the most contact and put themselves at the most risk. (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/health/coronavirus-masks-shortage.html)
President Trump has denied the federal government's responsibility to produce masks - "But he said it was largely up to governors to deal with the problem. 'The federal government’s not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items and then shipping,' Mr. Trump said. 'You know, we’re not a shipping clerk.'”
Hospital workers are forced to work without the proper protection, unable to gain access to the respirator masks that are recommended. I believe that donations should definitely go to proper protection as well.
For example, Nu Alpha Phi and Lunar NYC have started a GoFundMe called "Mask Our Heroes" to collect and deliver masks to frontline workers (https://www.gofundme.com/f/maskourheroesNYC). These masks are PPE, N95, and KN95. These are different types of masks that have all been recommended for protection.
Another example: One of my friends has been personally making deliveries to hospitals in NYC, bringing food, supplies, and protective gear for the hospital workers. His father owns a construction/cleaning company that has switched to ordering these supplies from Korea who have prepared a better response to COVID-19 than America has, and they have been donating these supplies.
These are the philanthropists we should be focusing on.
Along your point of viewing the responses these organizations have had to the situation, I definitely agree but I also believe from what we have seen so far, all the organizations have made smart decisions to maintain the self-distancing/quarantine practice.
Maggie