What They Meant by Essential and Nonessential – Brownstone Institute

This is a summary and exploration of the news covered here: https://brownstone.org/articles/what-they-meant-by-essential-and-nonessential/

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the world, we’ve all heard the terms “essential” and “nonessential” thrown around. But what do these terms really mean? And why are they so important?

First, let’s start with the basics. Essential businesses are those that provide goods and services that are necessary for the health and safety of the public. This includes things like grocery stores, hospitals, and pharmacies. Nonessential businesses, on the other hand, are those that are not deemed necessary for the public’s health and safety. This includes things like movie theaters, gyms, and hair salons.

But why are these distinctions so important? Well, for one, essential businesses are allowed to remain open during times of crisis, while nonessential businesses are often forced to close. This is because essential businesses provide goods and services that are necessary for survival, while nonessential businesses do not.

But there’s more to it than that. The distinction between essential and nonessential businesses also highlights larger societal issues, such as income inequality and access to healthcare. Essential workers, for example, are often low-wage workers who are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their work. Meanwhile, nonessential workers are often