Abstract
In mid-March 2020, the United States enacted a series of restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities across the country were asked to halt all non-essential activities; organizations closed and employees began working from home. Restaurants and bars, stores and shops—with exceptions such as groceries and pharmacies—also closed operations. All sectors of society were called to stay home. Missing from those being asked to stay home were those deemed “essential” in some way, notably, healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses and aides. As news began to circulate about the pandemic, news coverage of those on the “frontlines” began to proliferate. Healthcare workers were lauded as heroes and stories of their sacrifice peppered the news. In the same vein, news cycles included stories of other essential workers: those ringing groceries, delivering food to homebound citizens, working in meatpacking facilities and e-commerce warehouses, and manning public transportation and rideshare services. These workers were also braving the dangers of a new disease, about which information was conflicting at best and scarce at worst. These workers were also working long hours in stressful conditions, sometimes without adequate protection, often without adequate pay. And yet, the status of “hero” remained reserved for those working in healthcare. The purpose of this research is to examine the language used to describe these essential workers in the popular press. Research on the language used to describe those lauded as “heroes” is contrasted with the language used during the pandemic to refer to the essential workers.
Presenters
Joy LeopoldAssistant Professor, Communications and Journalism, Webster University, Missouri, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Media Representation, Covid-19, Essential Workers, Heroes, Low-Wage Workers
