Essential but undervalued: Millions of health care workers aren’t getting the pay or respect they deserve in the COVID-19 pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired an outpouring of public appreciation for the country’s frontline heroes, from television ads to firefighter salutes to essential worker toys. But while doctors and nurses deserve our praise, they are not the only ones risking their lives during the pandemic—in fact, they represent less than 20% of all essential health workers.