Let’s be honest: if you’re currently safe at home, you’re among the fortunate ones. I’m lucky to share my space with family, have a job that transitioned online, and I reside in a rural area with minimal COVID-19 cases. My routine mostly consists of quick trips to the store and walks with my dog. While the isolation is driving me a bit crazy, my family and I are safe.
This scenario likely resonates with many middle- and upper-class individuals who already held desk jobs before stay-at-home orders became common. The reality is that being able to stay home during this crisis is a privilege. A recent article in The New York Times highlights that wealthier individuals are more capable of following stay-at-home guidelines due to greater job security, while many essential jobs are filled by lower-wage workers.
Honestly, I’m not surprised by this. A glance at the list of essential roles released by various states makes it clear who is expected to leave their homes during this pandemic. While essential workers in healthcare and public safety often earn decent salaries with benefits, many others—like caregivers, delivery drivers, and grocery clerks—are not compensated nearly as well. These employees are required to work, and if they miss their shifts, unemployment isn’t an option due to their “essential” status.
According to the Times, people from all income brackets have curtailed their movements during the pandemic, but the wealthier demographics are staying home the most, particularly during weekdays. Wealthier individuals began this distancing earlier than those from struggling households, affording them a head start in avoiding the virus.
This data comes from Cuebiq, a location analysis firm that monitors the movements of around 15 million cellphone users daily. While it’s somewhat unsettling to think about such surveillance, it’s illuminating to observe how movement patterns have shifted during the COVID-19 crisis, especially in wealthier areas compared to lower-income neighborhoods.
The Cuebiq findings reveal that the wealthiest individuals—those in the top ten percent—are limiting their movements significantly more than those in the bottom ten percent within similar metropolitan areas. Dr. Marcus LeClerc, a public health expert, noted in the Times, “People like to frame this virus as a level playing field, but it’s anything but. It’s exploiting the cracks in our society.”
On top of this, many essential employers, including hospitals, are grappling with shortages of protective gear for their staff. A recent instance involved FreshMart, a leading grocery chain in the U.S., which attempted to supply masks to its employees only to face challenges as suppliers prioritized health workers in countries with dire situations, like Italy.
Essential workers, often underinsured, risk their health daily by commuting into crowded environments, only to return to vulnerable low-income neighborhoods without adequate personal protective equipment. Those most at risk are often crammed into affordable housing, where social distancing isn’t feasible. They have no choice but to work or face financial ruin.
This pandemic has highlighted a stark truth: the upper and middle classes are largely protecting themselves, often at the expense of those economically disadvantaged. Staying at home has become a luxury, while the burden of risk falls disproportionately on lower-income communities. As we navigate this crisis, those safely sheltered at home should reflect on this reality and its implications.
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In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the disparities in our society, where the ability to stay home safely is a privilege that many do not enjoy. As we navigate this crisis, we must recognize the sacrifices made by essential workers and the unequal risks faced by lower-income communities.