The Plight of Being “Essential Personnel”

I admit I feel really frustrated by all of this and I’m very thankful to have a good job and security.

So I’m designated as essential personnel. I’ve been at work every day through all of this dealing not only with the effects of COVID but also the effects of reduced staffing due to telecommuting. I’ve honestly been busier these last three weeks than I’ve been in a while, and I still have all my normal duties for my group that we do weekly. My wife is at home with the kids (and thankfully she already works from home) but it’s a burden on them having me away for long hours with kids that don’t fully understand the ramifications of what’s going on. And worse, if I were to get sick I’d literally have nowhere to go.

So do i get a stimulus check? Nope, make too much money. Any compensation for me or my group for having to come in during all this? Nope. I do thoroughly enjoy seeing coworkers in other groups post pictures on Facebook sitting by the pool while on conference calls. That’s fun.

Meanwhile, I’ll continue to pay my bills, mortgage, car note. I’ll continue to pay taxes and contribute to the community by trying to patronize local businesses.

And elsewhere, there are people that are sitting at home enjoying this pseudo vacation while getting paid. For many people they’ll get stimulus checks and $800/ week in unemployment. The government has ordered lenders to work with people on hard times, and i suspect there will be legislation implemented to make people and lenders whole after all this.

So my selfish terrible mind goes back to what am I getting out of all of this? Huge bump in credit score for paying my bills on time? Probably not, because lenders will get bailed out on bad debt. People at the house will collect what amounts to $41600/year take home pay in unemployment plus stimulus cash. And even others get to have reduced stress and expenses by staying at home “working.” It’s almost as if I’m penalized for being responsible.

Sorry OT. Just a little venting in stressful uncertain times. Bash away, I probably deserve it