Parents who continue in-person work through the pandemic have a bleak choice: risk exposing your family to the coronavirus, or face financial devastation.
Up to now, I've just been cobbling together childcare, getting people to come in and watch my daughter. I lived here for three months when the pandemic hit and just had zero safety net. I left corporate New York City to come take care of the animals, because I believed in animal rescue. So I don't have the same resources that other moms might have — I don't know anybody. My job was my only safety net.
So I had family members fly out to take care of my daughter for like a couple weeks at a time. My mom is a professor, and she drove across the country from California to help me keep this job. She was teaching online while watching the kid. But when my daughter’s school starts again, you need someone actively facilitating remote learning. You can't just throw her in front of a computer — she is only going into second grade.School is going to be on a hybrid schedule.
But this is what being a caregiver is like. I get it now. I see it with people who have nurses in their homes; it’s just not a valued profession, whether you're taking care of people or animals. This must be why burnout is so high: because you have to care so deeply.Income: $12/hourhas been taking care of her four siblings while we are working. She has taken on the role as parent because we cannot afford a day off.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump team says history will vindicate him on coronavirusTop advisers Sunday blamed everyone but the president for the nation’s plight during the pandemic
Read more »
Op-Ed: I got COVID-19 while working at Ralphs. People like me need a voice in workplace safetyGrocery workers are at high risk for COVID-19. Essential workers need a seat at the table in public health regulations.
Read more »
Americans are raiding retirement savings during coronavirus pandemicThe economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is pushing retirement savers to pull thousands of dollars from their nest eggs to make ends meet.
Read more »
Cuba punches above weight with 'white coat army' during pandemicAt the start of Togo's coronavirus outbreak, the small West African nation welcomed a team of 12 Cuban healthcare workers to tend to sufferers of the virus, boost its laboratory testing and help improve its hospital protocols.
Read more »
Investment Firm Forgives $70 Million in New York City Taxi-Cab DebtThe largest holder of New York City taxi-medallion loans is throwing lifelines to thousands of drivers struggling to survive a collapse in ridership caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »
Review: 'The Hole,' a 1998 film set during a pandemic, makes a welcome returnFeelings of loneliness, isolation and magical possibility permeate 'The Hole,' an early triumph from Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang.
Read more »