Celebrating New York's COVID Essential Workers Five Years On: A Comprehensive Reflection
All Of It by WNYC, hosted by Alison Stewart, delves deep into the experiences of New York City's essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, five years after its onset. In this episode, Stewart engages with Robert Snyder, Manhattan Borough Historian and Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University, to discuss his latest book, When the City Stopped: Stories from New York's Essential Workers. The conversation is enriched by heartfelt stories from callers who served in various essential roles, shedding light on the multifaceted challenges and resilience displayed during those tumultuous times.
1. Introduction to When the City Stopped
Robert Snyder introduces his book, which compiles firsthand accounts from approximately 60 essential workers across New York City. These narratives encompass a diverse range of professions, including healthcare workers, transit and sanitation workers, delivery personnel, and more. The central theme revolves around the anger and frustration felt by these individuals due to the perceived abandonment of the city in its early pandemic days, juxtaposed with a hopeful vision for a better post-pandemic New York.
Notable Quote:
"[...] People would say again and again, we're suffering right now, but this has gotta be to some purpose in the future. Things have to be made better." — Robert Snyder (03:27)
2. Overlooked Essential Workers
A significant portion of the discussion highlights how certain essential workers, notably sanitation workers, were often overlooked in both public discourse and media representations. Snyder emphasizes the scarcity of interviews with sanitation personnel in existing archives, contrasting them with the ample yet still insufficient representation of transit workers and first responders.
Notable Quote:
"Sanitation workers are ignored and overlooked. They're even more overlooked than transit workers." — Robert Snyder (06:21)
3. Voices from the Frontlines: Call-In Stories
The episode features several callers sharing their personal experiences:
a. Kay from the Bronx – Sanitation Worker
Kay recounts being laid off for refusing vaccination, highlighting the lack of recognition for sanitation workers compared to other essential roles.
Notable Quote:
"But you rarely hear anything about New York City Sanitation Department." — Kay (06:09)
b. Lisa from Monroe, NY – Veterinary Technician
Lisa discusses the challenges faced in veterinary hospitals, including the inability of pet owners to be present, which added emotional strain to an already stressful environment.
Notable Quote:
"They had to figure out ways for owners to be present if they had to make the decision to euthanize their ill pet." — Lisa (12:34)
c. Lee from East Village – Physician
Lee shares the devastating impact of COVID-19 on his patients and the emotional toll of witnessing suffering compounded by public disregard for safety measures.
Notable Quote:
"It was devastating for me. I can honestly say that I had a list of maybe 100 patients, and every day 20 to 50% of the names were different." — Lee (14:58)
d. Mark from Jackson Heights – Broadcast Engineer
Mark reflects on the overlooked contributions of behind-the-scenes professionals in broadcasting, emphasizing the disconnect between on-air personalities and technical staff.
Notable Quote:
"They never heard one of them point to the camera guy and say, thanks for being here." — Mark (24:10)
e. Sarah from Sussex County, NJ – Public Health Worker
Sarah expresses the emotional and professional challenges faced by public health workers, including vilification and lack of recognition despite their critical role.
Notable Quote:
"Our work is just so forgotten... we made enemies." — Sarah (26:12)
4. Leadership Response and Public Perception
The conversation critiques the initial response of New York State and City leadership, noting a delayed and inadequate reaction to the pandemic's onset. Snyder points out Governor Andrew Cuomo's optimistic statements early on, which underestimated the virus's severity compared to other countries.
Notable Quote:
"They were too slow in retrospect... They didn't listen enough to their public health professionals early on when it might have made a big difference." — Robert Snyder (09:51)
5. Emotional Impact and the Loss of Rituals
The lack of traditional rituals surrounding death and mourning during the pandemic is discussed as a factor that perpetuated collective trauma. Without communal gatherings like funerals or wakes, the societal ability to process loss was significantly hindered.
Notable Quote:
"Rituals... can perpetuate the trauma of the pandemic in many ways." — Robert Snyder (18:35)
6. Reinvention and Resilience of Essential Workers
Snyder highlights the remarkable adaptability of essential workers who had to reinvent their roles amidst unprecedented challenges. From healthcare professionals developing new treatment protocols to engineers maintaining critical broadcasting services alone, the resilience exhibited was pivotal in sustaining the city's functionality.
Notable Quote:
"The work of essential workers in that time was absolutely... They reinvented their jobs. They found new ways to treat patients." — Robert Snyder (22:34)
7. Preparing for the Future
Reflecting on the lessons learned, Snyder emphasizes the importance of understanding how the burdens of the pandemic were distributed and recognizing the motivations that drove essential workers to persevere. This understanding is crucial for forging a unified and effective response to any future health emergencies.
Notable Quote:
"We can learn from the past if we ask the right questions... the energy that they brought to their jobs saved the city from the bottom up." — Robert Snyder (28:49)
8. Conclusion
The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the indispensable roles played by essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through personal narratives and expert insights, All Of It not only honors their sacrifices but also underscores the necessity of inclusive recognition and support for all facets of the workforce that uphold the cultural and functional fabric of New York City.
Notable Quote:
"Their work deserves to be recognized." — Sarah (27:43)
As New York City continues to evolve in the post-pandemic landscape, the stories and lessons shared in this episode provide invaluable perspectives on resilience, leadership, and the enduring spirit of its essential workers.