Who and What is Essential?
By Dr. Karen Wasserstein “Essential services” has become one of the new phrases of 2020. It has good company—“social distancing”, “six feet away”, “stay home orders”, and “flattening the curve.” We are all using the same phrases and meaning the same thing—these phrases have entered our vocabulary and changed us. States have different definitions of “essential services.” I read that one state was determined to have hairdressers and golf courses considered essential services, while I know in my home state of Maryland hair care is not considered essential. The joke I saw on social media was that in six weeks we will know everyone’s true hair color! But what is no laughing matter is the experience of those who were [...]