key worker
Vital service provider
A key worker is someone whose job is considered essential to society's basic functioning—healthcare staff, emergency responders, food suppliers, utility workers.
The term gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when such workers continued on-site while others stayed home: Key workers were prioritized for vaccines.
In British usage, key worker also describes public-sector employees eligible for housing assistance in expensive areas.
Healthcare provider, bedside
- doctorLicensed medical healer
- paramedicPrehospital emergency caregiver
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
- caregiverOne providing daily assistance
ambulance · pharmacist · medic · therapist · clinic · ward · care home · NHS
Food retail shop
- supermarketSelf-service food retailer
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- transportMoving things between places
- postalOf mail service
sanitation · utility · bus driver · teacher · police · firefighter · childcare · warehouse
Utterly required, irreplaceable
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- necessaryIndispensable, cannot omit
- fundamentalForming the base
crucial · frontline · core · primary · requisite · paramount · pivotal · designated
To uphold or sustain
- solidarityUnity among allies
- clappingRhythmic palm strikes
- ThursdayFifth weekday
- rainbowRefracted light arc
thank you · appreciation · mutual aid · neighbors · volunteer · collective · morale · banner
Wholehearted loyalty to purpose
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- riskPossibility of harm
- exposureState of being unprotected
exhaustion · burnout · overtime · strain · loss · gratitude · applause · recognition
nurse
Healthcare provider, bedside
- doctorLicensed medical healer
- paramedicPrehospital emergency caregiver
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
caregiver · ambulance · pharmacist · medic · therapist · clinic · ward · care home · NHS · carer
grocery
Food retail shop
- supermarketSelf-service food retailer
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- transportMoving things between places
postal · sanitation · utility · bus driver · teacher · police · firefighter · childcare · warehouse · logistics
indispensable
Utterly required, irreplaceable
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- necessaryIndispensable, cannot omit
fundamental · crucial · frontline · core · primary · requisite · paramount · pivotal · designated · classified
support
To uphold or sustain
- solidarityUnity among allies
- clappingRhythmic palm strikes
- ThursdayFifth weekday
rainbow · thank you · appreciation · mutual aid · neighbors · volunteer · collective · morale · banner · window sign
dedication
Wholehearted loyalty to purpose
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- riskPossibility of harm
exposure · exhaustion · burnout · overtime · strain · loss · gratitude · applause · recognition · memorial
key workerremote worker
Employee working offsite
telecommuter · digital nomad · hospitality worker · office worker · knowledge worker
key, worker, workers, keyboard, workforce, keynote, workman, keystone, workplace