As an essential worker, I was “lucky” enough to not miss a moment of work throughout the entire pandemic. My employer and fellow employees are mostly right leaning, so little to no effort was placed into any safety or cleaning protocols as the topic was a “hoax”. Just like most of them, I eventually got COVID. I was vaccinated but it was still a rough couple weeks. I am left with low energy, poor mental focus and my sense of smell is damaged. It’s been months, and nothings gotten any better. I ate something spoiled last week because I couldn’t smell and got really sick. I’m so angry. I never asked for this or was given a choice in the matter. How many other “essential” workers are out there like me who want compensation? How could our government not even mandate hazard pay? Almost a million dead not hazardous enough? I’m sure families of the deceased essential workers feel this way. I feel the term essential worker was thought up at the eleventh hour by our government to protect their corporate owners financial interests. So, I think this newly created group of workers needs a union. Essential worker union!