Coronavirus 'Heroes Fund': Dems Propose $25K Hazard-Pay For Essential Workers

Democrats led by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and others are looking to keep the multi-trillion-dollar spending spree triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic going on for as long as possible. Their latest proposal, what would be the fourth “phase” of the stimulus package includes giving hazard-pay up to $25,000 to those on the front lines of the war against the coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2.

No one can deny during the pandemic that “essential workers” who don’t have the option of social distancing, like doctors, nurses and even grocery store clerks, are facing a life-threatening situation every time they are within a “sneeze” length from an infected person. Nurses and medical staff can assume they are treating infected people while the grocery clerk simply does not know the status of those in the checkout line.

Both Democrats and Republicans have no issues with using taxpayers' money to take care of a problem but almost always disagree in the direction of the cash toss. The coronavirus has been a unifying force in some regards, but deep rifts remain.

The phases of the stimulus package demonstrate how the costs snowball into a massive avalanche with no signs of slowing down:

• Phase 1 - $8 billion for health aimed specifically for actual healthcare measures was designed by lawmakers on March 6.
• Phase 2 - $100 billion for broader relief and an obvious larger scope, designed to offer economic assistance to those hit hard by the pandemic.
• Phase 3 - $2 trillion for almost everyone. This is the “big one” signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27. Most individuals with valid Social Security numbers are to receive at least $1,200 each; businesses that have been hit hard by the health crisis will also get help.
• Phase 4 - $2 trillion for the "hazard pay" for essential workers and other costs under the larger umbrella of infrastructure.

The hazard pay of $25,000 is the cap for those earning less than $200,000 per year, while those earning more than $200,000 will have it capped at $5,000, The Hill reported.

Schumer introduced the phase 4 proposal during a conference call and said, “As the COVID pandemic has reached alarming new levels, our health care system is strained to the max, our economy is strained to the max. Doctors and nurses, medical personnel of all types are putting their lives on the line every single day to fight this disease and save others.”

“And so are people not in the medical profession but in essential services: grocery store workers, truck drivers, drug store workers, and pharmacists. For these Americans, working from home is not an option. Social distancing is not an option. We’re calling it a ‘Heroes Fund’ because that’s who it’s for, our heroes,” he added.

The bill will be debated by both the chambers of Congress after they return to Washington, D.C., in late April.