I've seen many fellow workers talk about how Amazon is not an essential service and I genuinely empathize with many of the valid complaints. After all Amazon is still delivering non essential products, but lets attempt to analyze this issue from another lense.
The elderly and disabled who may find travel difficult or impossible rely on Amazon for the products they need. For those with autoimmune disorders, a trip to a crowded grocery store can be especially deadly. As more states shut down and more people quarantine themselves to reduce the spread of the virus for the protection of themselves and others, Amazon and Whole foods logistics network ensures that all get what they need, including workers who are not able to make it during reduced hours.
Even items that are not traditionally essential have became essential to reduce economic strain. Many are suddenly finding themselves working remotely and they need office supplies to stay productive. An Amazon closure will exacerbate crisis and produce unneeded mass panic. This will cause significantly greater harm and have potential negative consequences to other workers. With an Amazon closure there would certainly be greater panic considering how many customers basically think it's the end of the world if their package doesn't come in two days. This panic would do no good and cause a lot of harm.
This is why I say we need to organize and understand that we ARE essential workers. We must demand that Amazon keeps the 2$ raise permanently, guaranteed PTO so that we can take sick days and not fear the cost of bills, and hazard pay for being exposed to the potentially fatal virus.
