Perspectives: New NYC Mayor Eric Adams's Comments on 'Low-Skilled Workers'

Recently-sworn in New York City Mayor Eric Adams's comments about service industry workers and COVID-19 restrictions sparked debate across the spectrum.

In a Monday press conference, Adams argued that a return to normalcy and in-person work would benefit the service industry because most service workers lack the option to work from home amid COVID-19 and the skills to work office jobs. "My low-skilled workers, my cooks, my dishwashers, my messengers, my shoeshine people, those who work at Dunkin' Donuts—they don't have the academic skills to sit in the corner office. They need this." Adams added to the remarks Wednesday, recalling his previous work in the service industry and saying "we need to open the city so low-wage employees are able to survive.” The comments were met with criticism from progressive Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

Coverage from all sides, especially left- and center-rated sources, focused on backlash to Adams's remarks. Some left-rated voices said the remarks were a bad choice of words; a writer for The Root questioned why people would return to work "when most people can’t go to work because they get infected?" One writer for libertarian Reason Magazine supported Adams's comments and criticized opposition to them, saying he's "absolutely correct that shutdowns hurt low-wage workers."