As this time of crisis, frontliners are hailed to be the modern-day heroes. They are the health workers, military and police authorities, journalists, food deliveries, government employees, bank employees, janitors, garbage truck collectors, traffic personnel and people who choose to remain on the front lines. In this essay, I will discuss the heroism of healthcare professionals and other frontliners in this time of pandemic, using Sztompka’s doctrine of heroic determinism.
Sztompka’s (1993) approach to heroic determinism states that heroism is the cause of one’s individualism and voluntarism. One’s action and individual efforts are the only one that can influence the history because it is adaptable (Sztompka, 1993). It is the prominent people who can bring historical change. Putting this approach in how we see our frontliners, a question appeared: do they have a choice or are we just trapped in a system where profits are preferred over people?
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We have what we call ‘essential workers’ and they are the medical workers and military officers. Yes, they certainly have a choice. They could just remain in their home, be safe, and make profit without any sacrifice or risk. Instead, they are risking the danger of acquiring the virus and sacrificing their time with their family just to serve the people who needs it during this pandemic. Someone’s greatness is measured by the ability to understand what is happening around and acting accordingly, in short, the basis of heroism is through their action (Sctompka, 1993, p.263). Therefore, the heroism of these essential workers is justified through their individualism and voluntarism. However, we also have frontliners like cashiers, janitors, garbage collectors, cleaning personnel, guards, and those working for their own essentials, which makes their heroism questionable. They do not have a choice because it is a necessity for them to work in order to sustain their living.
We, as a citizen of the country, could honor these modern-day heroes. Most of our frontliners are daily minimum wage earners. We should support and continue to call the government to increase the daily minimum wage. Moving to our medical frontliners, they are not properly compensated and their only advantage is the insurances for when they acquire the virus. In addition, there is a lack of medical supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE). We must join the call to support our healthcare workers and strengthen the health care system, as this is our only hope in the fight against this pandemic.
Frontliners deserves all the hail they are receiving because of the bravery, passion, and greatness they are offering to our country while sacrificing and risking a lot in their lives. However, they are also workers that needs a more comprehensive actions from the government.
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