Women in the fight against COVID 19 – 03/08/2024 – Sou Ciência

In previous years, we wrote and also spoke about women in science, addressing the importance of celebrating this March 8th. However, instead of presenting numbers or analyzing how women still do not occupy all the positions of command or decision-making (despite being the majority), we will talk about the countless women who faced the covid-19 pandemic.

March 8 is a symbolic date, marked by a history of the struggle of women who were oppressed. It represents a moment of celebration based on achievements. For some, there is a desire to distribute flowers or poems; for others, there is a desire to reaffirm history and how much we still need to accomplish to achieve equity.

Four years after the announcement of the Covid-19 pandemic and the first cases recorded in Brazil, today we want to highlight the role of women, scientists or not, who played a role in tackling the health crisis that has devastated humanity. Once again, highlight the role of women scientists and those on the front line, who faced all the impacts produced by the coronavirus.

We start with the women who worked to save lives: doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists and dentists, who spent days in hospitals, no longer spending time with their own families. They went to temporary shelters to be able to provide assistance to people, without running the risk of bringing the coronavirus into their homes, their families. There were countless cases of health workers who were unable to see their parents, partners and even children for months on end. People who started to live in hotels or accommodation so they could dedicate themselves fully to providing assistance and saving lives. Unfortunately, among them, there were those who became seriously ill, those who had to deal with sequelae and trauma, and also those who we lost to Covid-19. To avoid committing injustices, we will not mention names, but there were many and we owe a lot to them.

Today, we know that women were the hardest hit by the pandemic in many other ways, especially because many are responsible for providing for their homes. They faced more unemployment or the loss of their jobs and also suffered even more as victims of domestic violence. This reality mainly affected our continent, accentuating and enhancing gender inequalities. Studies show that women were the most affected economically and emotionally, those who took the longest to resume their work and who suffered most intensely from the increased work overload. Studies also showed that mortality hit women hardest, especially black and poor women. How long will it take to heal the pain and losses? We need this look.

On March 8, 1917, thousands of female workers took to the streets to demand better living conditions and to show their indignation at the actions of Tsar Nicholas II. Because of this, women lost their lives fighting for their rights, marking an era and paving a path that others can now follow. These women cannot be forgotten and are examples. At the same time, we cannot forget the women warriors of the pandemic. These are different times, but women’s struggle continues, since, faced with a situation of extreme vulnerability, such as the pandemic, women faced all fronts of action with courage. To all of them, our tribute and, above all, our thanks.

We need to tell more of their stories, without leaving anyone behind. Women who can be remembered through some of their representatives, such as the first person to receive the first dose of the covid vaccine or the nurse who remained in the ICU of a large hospital for months on end. They represent many.

Our memory goes to the researchers and scientists who worked on vaccines, who developed knowledge about new drugs, who went to the laboratory to face test tubes containing the virus or front-line activities, with some achieving important prominence. We highlight women in technology management, who worked on repairing respirators or other equipment and who were crucial in saving lives. And those who worked on creating new equipment and new materials through 3D printing, helping thousands of people. Not to mention the new fabrics created especially for women seamstresses to make masks and aprons, which could be used in hospitals.

We cannot fail to mention the women teachers, who welcomed and made moves to protect students. Of the women students, who had courage and moved forward. The communicators and journalists, who knew how to take messages and news about the pandemic everywhere, working on intentional disinformation, fake news, which certainly generated a lot of confusion and contributed to increasing losses. There were many losses, and we have already talked about this previously on our blog.

Soon, SoU Ciência will launch the pandemic panel, in which lots of data will show the great damage suffered by false news – which reminds us of the role of the women who worked to present data and testimonies in public hearings of the Covid-19 CPI.

On this International Women’s Day, let us remember the women who lived through and faced the pandemic. Let us not forget where they were and how they were able to cope with so many challenges at the same time, but also how they had courage and leadership in the most difficult moments. We dedicate this column today to everyone who was in this place, known and anonymous. Scientists, health professionals, workers at all levels, those responsible for their families. We praise all abilities, so that they are food for life. Our thanks to all women everywhere.

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