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The Razor's Edge of “Essential” Labor in Food and Agriculture

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  • Trey Malone
  • K. Aleks Schaefer
  • Felicia Wu

Abstract

In the midst of a pandemic, falling on one side or the other of the cruel “razor's edge” of the “essential” and “nonessential” labor distinction can mean the difference between infection versus safety and, on the other hand, continued earnings versus unemployment. This article synthesizes relevant research from a variety of disciplines to explore the implications of the essentiality distinction as a “second‐best” policy instrument. We identify ways to improve the equity and efficiency of the distinction as a second‐best policy tool and consider potential ways to look beyond essentialness for future economic policy responses to pandemics.

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  • Trey Malone & K. Aleks Schaefer & Felicia Wu, 2021. "The Razor's Edge of “Essential” Labor in Food and Agriculture," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(1), pages 368-381, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:43:y:2021:i:1:p:368-381
    DOI: 10.1002/aepp.13070
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    1. Brandon R. McFadden & Trey Malone & Maik Kecinski & Kent D. Messer, 2021. "COVID‐19 Induced Stigma in U.S. Consumers: Evidence and Implications," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(2), pages 486-497, March.
    2. Jayson L Lusk & Ranveer Chandra, 2021. "Farmer and farm worker illnesses and deaths from COVID-19 and impacts on agricultural output," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, April.

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