Jayati Ghosh: Even during a global pandemic there's still no care for our healthcare workers

Healthcare workers were described as heroes for their work in fighting the pandemic, but that hasn't stopped governments cutting healthcare funding all over the world. File Picture.

Decades of public neglect and underspending have brought us to the point that even an unprecedented global health emergency and economic collapse are not enough to make mistreatment of low-paid essential workers socially and politically unacceptable. Our applause is no longer enough to keep them keeping us safe, writes Jayati Ghosh

Those who thought that a pandemic would make everyone realise the crucial role of care workers should think again. With the coronavirus still spreading rapidly, frontline workers are more essential – and at greater risk – than ever, yet public attention has shifted elsewhere.