# 2020 Time Person of the Year: Is there any debate? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 7, 2020, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194 "2020-06-07T06:32:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/101 "2020-12-08T20:29:43Z")
[It’s Medical Workers](https://i.redd.it/tuubknahe0461.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/102 "2020-12-08T20:31:04Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > [Medical Workers](https://i.redd.it/tuubknahe0461.jpg) I apologize, I am now wondering if that is fake. Perhaps it has not yet been announced? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/103 "2020-12-08T20:35:06Z")
They _did_ [announce](https://time.com/5917600/person-of-the-year-reader-poll-results-2020/) that essential workers won the person of the year reader’s poll. That’s different from the magazine’s selection, to be announced on Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/104 "2020-12-08T21:13:12Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > They _did_ [announce](https://time.com/5917600/person-of-the-year-reader-poll-results-2020/) that essential workers won the person of the year reader’s poll. That’s different from the magazine’s selection, to be announced on Thursday Yes, I jumped the gun. That would be a great cover, though. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/105 "2020-12-08T22:03:28Z")
Yeah considering that they have picked multiple people to be “Person of the Year” in the past, it seems so very clear it will be “Essential/Medical Workers.” Especially since they picked “Ebola Fighters” in 2014. LOL at the OP’s “obvious” choice. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/106 "2020-12-09T00:43:17Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > it seems so very clear it will be “Essential/Medical Workers.” Even with Joe Biden winning the election, I have to agree. Our essential workers and medical frontliners clearly made the biggest impact this year. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/107 "2020-12-10T16:44:54Z")
Four finalists are: Joe Biden Donald Trump Dr. Fauci Racial Justice Movement ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/108 "2020-12-10T16:52:32Z")
Not really. They had a hard job this year but Covid made the impact. And I assume you just mean front line store staff for “essential workers”? Because everyone in the food, medical, automotive and construction supply chain were “essential workers” in most jurisdictions. I have an acquaintance in new construction HVAC biz. Didn’t stop working ever. One of their busier years in a long time, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/109 "2020-12-10T17:15:34Z")
It’s not just Dr Fauci but “Frontline Health Care Workers _and_ Dr. Anthony Fauci” ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/110 "2020-12-10T17:32:07Z")
Oh, then I think that will be it for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/111 "2020-12-10T17:33:21Z")
That makes the most sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/112 "2020-12-10T17:59:04Z")
They went the activist route for Sports Illustrated (think they’re still the same publisher) so that leaves the medical workers as the easy layup for Time. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/113 "2020-12-10T18:01:35Z")
No, they’re no longer the same publisher. Time Magazine is owned by Marc Benioff, who is the CEO of Salesforce and SI is owned by Authentic Brands. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/114 "2020-12-10T18:04:09Z")
Ah ok, I still think Time takes the easy lay up with medical workers. They’ll sell a shit ton of framed copies to medial offices and as Christmas gifts ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/115 "2020-12-10T18:16:30Z")
I am a little less confident than before, since it does not include Kamala Harris, but I still think it will be Biden. I wouldn’t be surprised if Time swerves everybody and does name both Biden and Harris. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/116 "2020-12-10T18:18:08Z")
Realistically, the virus was the biggest newsmaker by far, so the essential workers option seems like a better choice than the other choices. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/117 "2020-12-10T18:23:43Z")
Something COVID related with definitely supersede any of the BLM stuff. Could be Fauci or Li Wenliang, could be healthcare workers or essential workers in some big blanket thing. But honestly, if I were a betting man I’d say they’ll pick the virus itself…much like the computer back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/118 "2020-12-10T19:03:07Z")
I’d go for the E workers myself Essential and Election ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/119 "2020-12-10T19:06:31Z")
They have already announced the four finalists. It was mentioned earlier today in this thread. Four finalists are: Joe Biden Donald Trump Frontline health care workers and Dr. Anthony Fauci Racial Justice Movement ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194/120 "2020-12-10T19:08:04Z")
I’m looking forward to Donald Trump freaking out when Dr Fauci is on the magazine cover representing all of the essential workers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-time-person-of-the-year-is-there-any-debate/855194.md?page=7)