Public officials have cited grocery store workers as among the heroes in the COVID-19 crisis, and with good reason. Risking exposure, these workers have truly been on the front lines, making sure Americans have access to food by keeping markets open and shelves stocked. With restaurants closed to all but takeout and people sheltered and eating at home, grocery sales have spiked, increasing by 27% in March, according to U.S. Census data.

But without some additional help for these critical workers, the accolades come across as lip service.

They’re asking Gov. Ned Lamont to label them “frontline workers,” making them able to apply immediately for unemployment insurance if they are unable to work due to personal illness or illness in their home during this crisis. If treated the same as emergency service providers confronting the crisis, they would be eligible for the same 14 paid sick days. We don’t want these workers making a decision to come to work sick.

These are reasonable requests.

And, like other critical workers, these employees should have priority status for access to childcare services.

As Connecticut ramps up testing for COVID-19, it should be made available, regardless of symptoms, for all grocery store workers.

Gov. Ned Lamont has taken some important steps to improve their safety by limiting capacity in supermarkets, requiring safe spacing and ordering the wearing of face coverings. Still, these vital employees deserve the additional protections afforded other frontline workers.

Meanwhile in Washington, where the most recent COVID-19 relief bill was approved Thursday, a proposal pushed by Democrats to provide additional hazard pay for these often poorly compensated grocery store workers failed to make it into the final legislation.

If this is truly a war, as President Trump has characterized, then these workers are in the combat zone, making sure those staying at home to reduce the spread of the virus can restock their provisions. Why shouldn’t they receive hazard pay for doing so?

It is all well and good to acknowledge the vital role those who serve in our food markets provide and to thank them. We all should. But as Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford wrote in the 1960 Barrett Strong hit, “Money (That’s What I Want)” — “love don’t pay my bills.”

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.