"Coronavirus Energizes the Labor Movement. Can it Last?", Los Angeles Times

May 1, 2020

Recently in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Irvine, and Oceanside, nurses have participated in rallies and protests against the hospitals they work at. As is the case throughout the country, hospitals are unable to adequately protect their employees from coronavirus. The purpose of these protests is to shame them and make them realize just how dangerous their jobs have become.

Fast food employees have joined the nurses in protesting unsafe practices at their jobs as well. For them, their top concern is the lack of social distancing measures put in place. People in careers like these come into contact with others constantly, and there should be many more precautions put into place for them.

Even in pre-coronavirus life, working conditions were less than desirable. This pandemic has reignited the labor movement because we've basically hit rock bottom with working conditions.

Post by: Katie Martin

"NOLA Nurses are Losing Their Jobs After Weathering a Peak of COVID-19", Vice

May 1, 2020

“They call you a hero in public, and, behind closed doors, they cut your pay or fire you altogether." Vice examines the struggle of nurses in New Orleans following the surge of COVID-19 cases in Louisiana. Nurses describe being given ultimatums at work including work with specific patients or face persecution and upon being placed in Intensive care units face rough conditions where they are facing physical dangers, chronic stressors, and traumatic experiences. Anonymous nurses recount their experiences in their respective places of work whether those experiences include professional repercussions, hour and pay cuts persecution, or life-threatening dangers.

Post by: Madison Totty

“Expert report predicts up to two more years of pandemic misery”, CNN

May 1, 2020

In an expert report released on Thursday it has been reported that the coronavirus will likely continue to spread for at least another 18 months- two years or until 60% to 70% of the population has been infected. We are encouraged to prepare for the best and worst case scenarios because people will continue to die either way. This article gives the audience three scenarios to prepare for: 1- prepare for smaller waves of COVID-19 in the summer expecting it to simmer down within one to two years, 2- a larger wave of the virus will present itself in the fall or winter followed by smaller waves in 2021 requiring the reinstitution of mitigation to drive down the spread of infection, and scenario three a slow burn of ongoing transmission. States and territories are suggested to prepare for scenario two the worst case one.

Today Governor Whitmer has extended the stay at home order until May 28th (previously the date was May 15th). I think this virus is peaking and the end is near. New beginnings are coming and staying in the positive light keeping my head facing the sun has been getting me through it.

Post By: Dallas Sumrall

“Essential Workers Plan May Day Strikes; Others Demand End To COVID-19 Lockdowns”, NPR

May 1, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic moves forward, essential workers at major companies such as Amazon, Target, and Whole Foods Markets organized May Day strikes across the country to protest unsafe working conditions. Essential workers are being praised in the media as “heroes”, yet the large majority of them lack access to the resources necessary to keep themselves safe. Additionally, many of these individuals have no choice but to continue coming to work and subjecting themselves to unsafe working conditions or face severe financial difficulties. It is important that essential workers are not only being shown our appreciation and emotional support, but it is absolutely imperative that they receive the equipment and compensation necessary during this pandemic.

Post by: Zoë Schultheiss

"The COVID-19 Rent Crisis is Here", Wired

May 1, 2020

After witnessing many on social media complain of the demand for rent payments during the height of the pandemic ,which has caused many to lose their means of income, I’ve turned my attention to the threat of a rent crisis. This article describes how whilst the working class continues to struggle with irregular income many landlords continue to demand payment on time and in full all whilst the United States refuses to provide relief for tenants and landlords demand relief for themselves as well. It examines and explains the possibility of a widespread rent strike and provides examples of those already staging them.

Post by: Madison Totty

"Why Are COVID-19-Related Job Losses Hitting Women Harder Than Men?", Forbes

April 30, 2020

Women are taking an even larger hit than men are in terms of disproportionate loss of jobs in the hospitality, education, and service fields which many women work in. Many mothers, specifically single mothers and those being head-of-household, not only are effected by the pay gap but the loss of jobs and caring for their children. "Many full-time working mothers are also finding themselves in a situation where they have to choose between the pay they need to survive and the care they need to give to their families,” says Jessica Mason, a senior policy analyst for the National Partnership for Women & Families. Many of us know of women in our lives who have complete responsibility and care of their children. Some programs coming into play are the CARES Act, unemployment, and the stimulus checks sent out, but they are based on eligibility. Many Americans are hoping they can receive some sort of reimbursement or help while we are on the tail end of not completing housings payments and keeping food on the table.

Post by: Adrienne Puryear

“Why the People Harvesting Californians’ Food Can’t Afford It”, New York Times

April 30, 2020

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States many individuals have continuously bought food in a panic, meaning shelves are left empty for those who cannot afford to buy food in bulk. In this article from the New York Times, the author focuses on how farm workers are not able to buy food in grocery stores. These same farm workers are supplying the majority of the United States with this food. Since these individuals only make around $13 an hour, they are not able to afford buying in bulk, nor do they have the time to buy groceries when they are fully stocked because they are working during this time. This being said, the coronavirus is greatly affecting low income individuals who do not have the privilege that higher income individuals do; not to mention, most of these people are minorities. These individuals not receiving the same food they farm is a huge problem and clearly shows how capitalism continues to work against the poor even in a pandemic.

Post by: Kaylee

“States use coronavirus to ban abortions, leaving women desperate: ‘You can’t pause a pregnancy’”, The Guardian

April 30, 2020

This article acknowledges the struggles of pregnant women seeking abortions in Texas and other conservative states in the south. The inconsistent, ever-changing laws regarding abortion in Texas during this pandemic have led women to violate executive orders. The laws change quickly and without warning. Abortion has been legal on a Friday and banned once again by Monday. Women have traveled across the nation to access safe abortions because they have been threatened by state officials and anti-abortionists in their home state. During this pandemic especially, mothers are struggling financially and mentally to provide for their children. As the article states, abortion is not a medical procedure you can delay as pregnancy is not something women can put on pause.

Post by: Megan

“The challenges of supporting pregnant women during Covid-19, from a midwife”, The Quartz

April 30, 2020

This article mentions the impact of reliable maternal healthcare, and how it drastically changed the death toll of the Ebola outbreak (2014-2015). Medical experts believed that there would have been an additional 120,000 women added to the death toll solely due to poor maternal healthcare. During COVID-19, many women feel pressured to have at-home births, enlisting the help of midwives. However, this help is extremely expensive, which gives the soon-to-be mothers that can't afford a midwife two options. They either have to risk an at-home birth without help, or go into a hospital and risk possible exposure to COVID-19.

This article holds an interview with a current midwife, which holds many details of their changing protocols. The midwife discussed the uncertainty they feel, and how visits with patients are now because of PPE protocol. They have become impersonal, midwives are unable to give comforting smiles and no hugging. The midwife also discusses the challenges the industry is facing. Most insurances do not cover midwives and most midwives have overwhelming schedules that they cannot get out of.

Post by: Maddy Schlossenberg

“Recognizing Women’s important role in Jordan’s COVID-19 response”, Brookings

April 29, 2020

As most countries across the globe, Jordan has taken serious measures to fight COVID-19. As written in this article, Jordanians feel safe, and proud due to how their country is progressing during this pandemic. However the issue remains one, only men are being recognized for these heroic acts done by the government and all people who are helping. As stated in this article this approach of “erasing women from Jordan's COVID-19 response negatively influence women’s political, economic, and social aspirations in a postcrisis society.”

It is important to make sure that women get recognized for their heroic acts, because it not only empowers them, but sets an example for younger women and girls that they are capable of stepping out of their comfort zones, saving their countries, and reaching their wildest dreams.

Post by: Gasana Elyvine

“Kawasaki-like Disease: Coronavirus Risks for Children”, BBC

April 29, 2020

In recent weeks, doctors have discovered that coronavirus could present itself differently in children. This is important for parents and guardians of children to know so they can detect the signs early on. When this pandemic first arrived, that we know of, in the United States there was a mentality among the younger generation that they were immune. This is not true and recent weeks have shown many young people are losing the battle against this virus. Politicians and educators need to keep this in mind when thinking about bringing schools in session. Many people are becoming antsy, but the safety of everyone is more important.

Post by: Eleanor Smith

"Hundreds use online service to get abortions at home during virus outbreak", The Sun

April 29, 2020

I find it very exciting that women are able to get abortion services at home but am saddened that it is only limited to a few states! I also find it sad that some women are turning to this just to avoid the ridicule of using public medical services to get abortions. We should not be living in a world where a woman feels attacked for getting a medical procedure. It is frustrating that this pandemic is being used as an excuse to limit women's access to abortion services and it's even more frustrating that the government just allows this to happen. I also worry that women who feel they have to use this at home service may lack the support they need during this time, especially with all the social distancing measures put in place. Again, I would love to see this expanded throughout the US because we are living in times where this has become necessary.

Post by: Aidan Winters

“A Lot Of PPE Doesn’t Fit Women—And In The Coronavirus Pandemic, It Puts Them In Danger”, Forbes

April 29, 2020

This article discusses how the “standard size” unisex personal protection equipment (PPE) is causing women, especially women in medicine, to be more at risk of contracting COVID-19. Although women make up 77% of the National Health Service’s workforce, PPE is often too big for the women who need it. This is because the PPE is being designed for men even though it is supposed to be unisex. These too-big masks are causing major problems for women besides just increasing infection risk. Ill-fitting PPE can also impede vision and cause abrasions on the face that can lead to ulcers. This is a very harmful result of treating men as the default or “average” person. Additionally, this is not just a problem for female medical professions, many women using PPE for everyday use are running into the same problem. It has been recommended that all people use PPE to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but how can that happen when it doesn't fit half of the population properly? All PPE products should be designed for all people, and if it’s only designed with one gender in mind, it needs to be changed. Women are risking their lives to fight the coronavirus, the least they deserve is proper fitting PPE.

Post by: Olivia

“Coronavirus crisis will see 7 million unplanned pregnancies and 31 million gender-based violence cases, the UN says”, Business Insider

April 29th, 2020

This article explains the devastating effects the Covid-19 Pandemic has had, and will continue to have, on women and girls all around the globe. The UN suggests that there will be 7 million unplanned pregnancies and over 31 million gender-based violence cases. But it gets worse, for every three months the lockdown continues, an additional 15 million extra cases of gender-based violence are expected, the UNFPA says. That's 5 million each month. The UNFPA report also suggests that there will be a surge in cases of child marriage and female genital mutilation (estimated 200 million women alive today have already undergone FGM) throughout the course of this pandemic. Since the pandemic has hindered efforts to end child marriage, it is estimated that an additional 13 million child marriages will result depending on how long this lockdown continues. The point is, the longer it lasts, the worse it gets. The UNFPA's deputy executive director, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, also has some very insightful thoughts on the above stated devastating projections. After reading this article, it is most certainly clear that this pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on women, and will continue to for possibly decades to come.

Post by: Audrey Bakos

"Uganda Is Using Coronavirus Rules To Raid An LGBTQ Shelter and Jail Residents," Buzzfeed News

April 28, 2020

This article talks about the detainment of 20 LGBTQ citizens of Uganda for "violating social distancing rules" by living in a large shelter. Since gay sex is criminalized in Uganda and many of the people in the shelter were being treated for AIDS, a LGBTQ leader believes they "were arrested for their homosexuality." This shows that besides the health concerns COVID-19 has created, the novel coronavirus has impacted marginalized communities in different ways. The people in the shelter, according to a different ABCNews article I cross referenced, had been attacked by Ugandan police before the pandemic. However, the pandemic and the fear it has created among all people has given the Ugandan police and other homophobic institutions around the world an opportunity to disguise homophobia as "violations of social distancing." Though this article only specifically talks about Uganda, I wouldn't be surprised if LGBTQ people were being attacked around the world, especially in the United States. In a similar way that the pandemic is disproportionately affecting communities of color and immigrant communities by giving people a reason to spread racism and xenophobia, I believe that it is affecting LGBTQ communities by giving homophobes more excuses to spread homophobia.

Post by: SaMya Overall

“The Imprints of Sexual Trauma: How the COVID-19 Pandemic May Trigger Survivors”, Medium

April 28, 2020

This article discusses how the coronavirus pandemic has created an unique and difficult time for survivors of sexual trauma. The author talks about how for survivors, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation in which survivors may feel the same way they felt while processing their sexual trauma. One thing that may happen, according to the author, is an “inescapable attack.” This event occurs when there is no way out of a situation. This is compared to the feelings of isolation and loss of control caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The article also discusses ways in which survivors can react to this pandemic in a healthy way.

In addition to being helpful to survivors that might read it, this article raises an important point that there are more vulnerable populations in this pandemic than we might realize, and that as a society, we should be helping those in need. This article serves as an important reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic affects people in so many different and challenging ways.

Post by: Olivia

“‘I Could One of Them’: Belgians Help Migrants Amid Coronavirus”, The New York Times

April 28th, 2020

The article informs the reader how Belgian authorities emptied the migrant detention center to help prevent the spread of the virus, leaving hundreds homeless. The country also closed the Brussels reception center that registers asylum seekers, meaning migrants have no access to government assistance. Often, these people seek to reach Britain, but with lockdowns and border closures, they are forced to stay in Belgium. The volunteer group Citizens in Solidarity has been aiding these migrants with food and other needs daily. With 4,000 people in Brussels alone, the resources and financial support are starting to wear out, as the aid is used by reserved resources or donations. Many of those helping the migrants, including law student Ines Bahja, feel the situation is personal, as Bahja states that she, whose parents are Moroccan, could have been one of these people. Some of the volunteers have gone as far as opening their own homes to migrants and inviting them to stay with their families. The article clearly suggests that the unity of Belgians is a large factor in the safety and support to migrants in Belgium.

Post by: Gabrielle White

"COVID-19: New women- led UN initiative aims to save lives and protect livelihoods", UN News

April 27, 2020

This article explores that women are doing a lot right now. We have them on the front lines saving lives as first responders in hospitals, finding solutions as innovators and standing up to the crisis as political leaders. As Ms. Mohammed said, “now more than ever, we must come together to overcome this global threat that affects us all”.

Within the 12 to 18 months, the framework aims to guide the response of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Because this time is unusual, thenormal timeline to get things done will simply not work. We need to work together, with everyone, to build a better tomorrow and come out of COVID-19 together.

Post by: Alex Morales

“Governor Gretchen Whitmer Signs Executive Order Extending Validity of Personal Protection Orders During COVID-19 Pandemic”, Michigan.gov

April 27, 2020

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently passed an executive order that effectively extends any personal protection orders that are set to expire during the pandemic caused by COVID-19. She explained that signing this executive order will help “secure the safety of vulnerable residents,” such as those who have experienced a history of abuse or stalking. Before this executive order was signed, individuals with personal protection orders experienced many barriers to accessing extensions during the COVID-19 crisis, leaving them especially vulnerable during a situation where everyone is required to stay home. As the rates of domestic violence continue to rise with the extensions of stay-at-home orders, this executive order may provide some shelter and safety for individuals who have struggled, or continue to struggle, with domestic violence, stalking, or abuse.

Post by: Maddie Smith

“Can Estrogen and Other Sex Hormones Help Men Survive COVID-19?”, The New York Times

April 27, 2020

As is becoming apparent, men are affected by COVID-19 differently than women. Their symptoms are more severe, and more men are present in the ICU wards of hospitals. More men are dying. Because of this, two separate labs are exploring a possible solution: women. Female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone are considered potentially helpful in fighting COVID-19, given that not only do women have a lower death rate, but pregnant women--who are typically immunocompromised but have higher levels of these hormones--tend to only suffer from mild cases.

While it is entertaining to think that female sex hormones may be the answer, there are also a lot of reasons as to why women may be fairing better. Firstly, women are more likely to wash their hands, which is one of the key aspects of preventing the spread. Secondly, men are more likely to smoke (worldwide), therefore their lungs are likely to be weaker and more susceptible to infection. Also, eldery women with COVID-19 are proving to outlive eldery men as well, and these hormones are sufficiently lower in their post-menopausal ages. So, as per usual, what looks like a gendered distinction can be explained using outside variables. If scientists really wanted to see if estrogen and progesterone make any difference, perhaps they should look at how transgender folks are affected by COVID-19, as it might be easier to see if the additional hormones are impacting their immune systems.

Post by: Abby Jaroszewicz

"Up to 90% of Minority and Women Owners Shut Out of Paycheck Protection Program, experts", CBS News

April 27, 2020

According to this CBS article written by Megan Cerullo, up to 90% of businesses owned by minorities and women were shut out of the Paycheck Protection program. These numbers vary by racial groups with Black-owned businesses at the highest with 95% and Asian-owned businesses at 75%. The businesses will not have a chance at receiving help from the program. Most had tried but they were either did not qualify or the program had run out of funds (within two weeks). One obstacle is POCs are less likely to have commercial banking relationships to be able to receive these loans. Also, banks were prioritizing larger loan applications to maximize loan origination fees, creating another barrier for small businesses especially those owned by women and POC. According to the article, "Research shows that female-owned businesses, or businesses equally owned by a man and woman, face the highest degree of immediate and long-term risk amid the coronavirus crisis, because they occupy industries in which social distancing in't possible." This means, dependent on the state, they may be the last to open, putting them at the highest risk of closing without the help of this program.

Sadly, as soon as the shutdowns had begun I saw this coming. Many businesses, depending on the economy in the area that they are present, struggle as it is. As soon as this program was released I knew it was going to prioritize big businesses over small businesses, but I didn't know the owners' race would affect them getting coronavirus relief funds. This kind of reminds me of redlining in a way, preventing minority groups from receiving loans. I guess history likes to repeat itself in 2020.

Post by: Arianna Pittenger

“Three Things Lockdowns Have Exposed About Working and Parenting” The New York Times

April 27, 2020

COVID-19 has magnified more faults and failures in our institutions and systems on a daily basis. One of these institutions/systems that many rely on is schools and childcare. For those who are considered "lucky" to still be employed or in higher education, raising children while working from home has become a part of the norm. They are making surprise appearances in zoom meetings, taking over workspaces, and just being children wanting all of their parents attention. “Our current situation is posing fundamental challenges to the idea that personal and professional identities can be kept separate,” said Lakshmi Ramarajan, a professor at Harvard Business School. This article highlights that parenting happens 24/7, parents cannot do it alone, and raising children is not a personal choice.

It is no surprise that being a woman in the workforce already puts you at a disadvantage for many reasons, especially during COVID-19. Employers (whether they admit it or not) automatically put resumes with women’s names to the bottom of the pile. This is because it is assumed she is more likely than not to have children; seen as a burden because of the unforeseen investment time for family not work, time taken off from work, and added healthcare costs.

The question remains; will women continue to be penalized for having children? Or as the article states “the crisis could force employers to rethink what it takes to produce good work. Employers could recognize the need for things like paid leave, affordable child care, predictable schedules, reasonable hours and remote work.”

Post by: Brandy

“Covid-19 Pandemic Shines a Light on a New Kind of Class Divide and Its Inequalities”, The Guardian

April 26, 2020

This article explores the class divides that are a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The article says the pandemic is deepening the class divides in the U.S. and that four new classes are emerging. The Remotes are those who are able to work from home and are collecting about the same pay as before. The Essentials are the essential workers, many who lack proper personal protective gear to participate safely in the workforce. The Unpaid included the unemployed, those who have used up their paid sick leave and those who are furloughed. And finally there’s the Forgotten; those in prisons, camps for migrant workers, nursing homes and homeless shelters who are put at higher risks against the virus. The latter of these classes are disproportionately poor, Black and Latino and are being infected at a disproportionate rate. These groups do not have adequate resources to stay protected from this virus. With recent demands to ‘reopen the economy’, many essential workers and unpaid individuals will take the risk of going back to work/continuing to work with it is still unsafe just to be able to provide for their families. The article concludes with stating that no class is truly secure.

Post by: Zoe Kernohan

“How COVID-19 affects women's sexual and reproductive health”, MEDICALNEWSTODAY

April 26, 2020

As the COVID-19 virus has affected us all, Ana Sandoiu takes a closer look at women’s sexual and reproductive health throughout the United States. Many have argued that there has been a power imbalance in the COVID-19 response, and that the insufficient number of female leaders places women at a disadvantage. As studies have shown, gender has played an important role in the primary and secondary impacts of the current health emergency. On a societal level, this pandemic has had a range of serious consequences for women. For example, women make up 70% of healthcare frontline workers. On April 20, 2020, the U.S. appeal court ruled in favor of the state (Texas) to ban all “non-essential” abortions. It has been proven that there has been an increase in depression in women who had unintended pregnancies.

Post by: Nekiya Davis

"Researchers should study how Covid-19 affects women", CNN

April 26, 2020

The following article was published by CNN, in which their journalist Susan Blumenthal supports her opinion that researchers should study Covid-19 effects on women. She compares the COVID-19 pandemic to the AIDs crisis, in that our government has failed to acknowledge the important differences based on sex when it comes to the impact of the pandemic. It is necessary that we recognize women as an important group to study for medication and prevention interventions, places where they have historically been overlooked. The article goes on to discuss the cellular differences between men and women and how women's immune systems and estrogen may explain why men are having more severe cases. Although biology may be protective of women, Blumenthal wants research to also address the social and economic experiences that harm women. When researching these experiences, demographics such as age, race, and ethnicity must also all be taken into consideration when conducting research and delivering health care services. I think one way that we can include women in research is to have women involved in the design and implementation of coronavirus response plans. By having women lead the research we are less likely to overlook them.

Post by: Devonshire McDonald

“Coronavirus: More women than men losing jobs in Ohio. Here’s why”, Dayton Daily News

April 25th, 2020

According to the Dayton Daily News, we are currently in the middle of a “she-cession” due to the disproportional amount of jobs that women lost during this pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, it was recorded that less than 35% of women were jobless in Ohio. However, these numbers skyrocketed to 55-58% during the pandemic. The reasons for this drastic increase in joblessness is because the majority of these women worked in retail, hospitality, recreation, and manufacturing, which were the first jobs to go. Sadly, Griesmer (CEO of the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio) reveals that women are laid off sooner than men because they tend to fill up more of the low authority and low wage positions. To make matters worse, the wage gap between men and women means women will have less savings and less of a “cushion” to fall back on during this job recession, which will result in dealing with the nightmare of applying for unemployment. The inequality in paid work directly translates to the inequality women face when handling and trying to recover from this pandemic. Essentially, if women were paid the same wage as their male counterparts, the poverty of women cause by this pandemic would be cut in half.

On the completely opposite side, jobs for women in health care are drastically increasing. In fact, women comprise about 78% of health workers and about 70% of educational service workers. Although this increase in jobs may seem like a good thing due to the consistent paychecks, these women are constantly risking their own health and well-being every single time they go to work. They are essentially trading in their safety in order to provide for themselves or their loved ones. It seems like women during this pandemic are faced with 2 horrible options: trade in your income for the promise of severe financial struggles and potential safety, or trade in your health and well being for a consistent paycheck.

Post by: Rhea Dhar

"A Second Covid Crisis: The Impact On Women and Girls", Politico

April 24, 2020

The coronavirus is hitting many women and girls everywhere in terms of maternal health, caregiving and domestic violence. Sheryl Sandberg explains the unequal impact, and how “Most hardships, most crises, most wars, most famines, most economic downturns affect women and girls more than men and boys. And there’s a reason for that: structural inequality. … Women do the majority of the world’s work, they earn a very small fraction of the world’s salaries, and they own even less of the world’s property. … Women and girls have the least access to resources. Women and girls are victims of violence, whether it’s domestic violence or mass rape, [and] we know that domestic violence and violence against women spike in any crisis." This explains the lack of the resources and access that women are able to pursue, and how the ownership and pay gap are effecting women as a whole. This will result in women being affected by maternal death, no access to contraception, and unable to make progress in school for young women and girls. This is a concern for all women and especially the gap of how many women are single-parents.

Post by: Adrienne Puryear

“She wrote about overlooked women. Without a coronavirus test, her death will go uncounted”, Washington Post

April 24, 2020

Alice Louise Staman was a writer in Savannah, GA who contributed to her community. During the early part of her career she was fired from teaching at what is today Shippensburg State College due to the fact that she married her husband, Mike, who was a faculty member at the time. While she was fired, Mike was allowed to keep his job. On March 29^th Alice, who was 78, was admitted to a Savannah hospital with a 104-degree fever and trouble breathing, which as we all know are common symptoms of the coronavirus. The hospital told Alice’s husband Mike that she would not be tested for the virus because she was “close to death.” A day later she passed away. The Georgia Health Department doesn’t count a death as related to the coronavirus unless the patient was tested positive for it. Due to the fact Alice was not tested for the virus, the family is not sure if her husband was exposed to it or not.

Post by: Nekiya Davis

Disabled Americans Can’t Be A Covid-19 Afterthought

April 23, 2020

This article discusses the challenges placed upon disabled individuals specifically during the Covid-19 pandemic. The author’s state “our nation has a sad history of diminishing people with disabilities… in moments of crisis, the "othering" of people with disabilities surfaces especially in discussions about the rationing of care -- something that will take on greater urgency as more people are likely to become disabled as a result of this pandemic...when schools close and tens of millions of students transition to distance learning, children with disabilities are going to be even further behind because they aren't part of the conversation or equation.”

The article discusses how we as a society can help those who have suffered the most during this pandemic, specifically disabled individuals and those who became disabled through this crisis. I think this article is important as it highlights a large part of society that has been grossly ignored overtime and during this pandemic.

Post By: Bianca Bucholtz

“Blamed For Coronavirus Outbreak, Muslims In India Come Under Attack”, NPR

April 23, 2020

In India today, Muslims are the “country’s biggest religious minority”. This being said, this religious group has been targeted, beaten, etc. for many years; however, it seems this violence has gotten worse since the COVID-19 outbreak. This article focuses in on an event that a Muslim community held after the outbreak started. So far 30% of cases in India have been linked to this large event that occured. However, now all muslims, even the people who did not attend this event, are being targeted and blamed for the spread of this virus. This blame has caused many businesses to deny access, such as to a cancer facility, individuals have been beaten, and many Muslim owned businesses have been forced to close due to the enforced blocking of their food. PM Modi tried to redirect this blame away from Muslims as he tweeted “COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking…”. This tweet from the Prime Minister did not seem to reach many since Muslims are still being targeted by people spreading false information and using old videos to promote this blame.

It is concerning that these individuals who live in India are still blaming all Muslims, even though they are not the cause of this outbreak. Essentially this gives them another reason to fuel their hate towards this religious group.

Post by: Kaylee

“8 In 10 Americans Support COVID-19 Shutdown, Kaiser Health Poll Finds,” NPR

April 23, 2020

According to the article, most Americans think that we still need at least 1- 3 months of lockdown. There is a divide among political party with 94% of Democrats supporting a stay at home orders and 61% republicans supporting it. The numbers are even more drastic among opinions about the gravity of the issue with 64% Democrats thinking “the worst is yet to come" compared to 27% of Republicans holding that sane opinion. This wasn’t the case a few weeks ago when the public opinion was more homogeneous and I question if this has the do with the president’s changing rhetoric that we have to open up the country in order to avoid economic problems. I think it really speaks to the state of the country that even in the midst of a global pandemic things are still politically divided along party lines. The article also mentions that some governors are starting to relax their stay at home orders, which to me is crazy because health experts haven’t recommended this and most people agree we should remain in quarantine. The angry minority demanding that the country be opened will put us all at risk.

Post by: Tammi Cervantes

"A seemingly healthy woman's sudden death is now the first known US coronavirus-related fatality", CNN

April 23, 2020

Patricia Dowd was a healthy 57 year old woman living in Northern California working as the manager for a semiconductor company. Patricia was a high school athlete and since then she had always taken her health seriously, taking no medication, vigorously watching her diet, and exercising routinely. On February 6th Patricia Dowd was found deceased. Although Dowd passed about a month before national alert about COID-19 was exposed before she passed she told her brother she was having flu like symptoms,but was appearing to recover. Unfortunately, she was found deceased 5 days later. Dowd had a history of traveling outside of the country and later in the year was planning a trip to China, but no recent history of travel that would have exposed her to the virus. Dowd had not been tested for the virus because at the time testing capacity was limited.

It is becoming more of a challenge to identify individuals with the virus, and limited supplies does not allow for everyone to be tested. The world is rushing to reopen to save the economy, but no one is talking about how it will destroy life itself. There is not a second Earth. If COVID-19 takes our home where will we go? Nowhere, we could potentially cease to exist. I am not sure where this is going and as scientists release more information it seems to get increasingly more chaotic.

Post By: Dallas Sumrall

“Excluding those in the sex industry from COVID-19 relief is a mistake”, The Washington Post

April 23, 2019

This article discusses the government's role in creating the need for women to work within the sex industry. Writer, Leah LaGrone, discusses the history of the sex industry, and the role the government had on creating the need for it. The U.S. government allowed the states to decide on how they would react to the growing sex industry. For example, in 1908 Texas began charging and arresting women for prostitution, but Texas also allowed cities to charter for red light districts to form to help local businesses. Also, in 1913 Illinois lead a nationwide movement to start paying women a livable wage to end all sex work. Later, they stopped paying these women, making them go back to their jobs within the sex industry.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has stated that businesses within the sex industry are not eligible for the COVID-19 relief business loan. However, businesses like Potbelly and Shake Shack are receiving upwards to $10 million. This relief is supposed to target small businesses, but is currently going towards business chains. The sex industry is mostly made up of female employees, most of whom entered the field due to financial instability. These women are still allowed to file for unemployment and are possibly able to receive a stimulus check (as long as they fulfill the requirements). The SBA argues these workers should not be granted access to larger financial help because of, “perceptions of mortality” (LaGrone). The government has to understand that the sex industry is the only way these women can put food on the table. During times of crisis, especially right now, the government needs to provide equal access to financial support, no matter the industry.

Post by: Maddy Schlossenberg

“Coronavirus pandemic will cause global famines of 'biblical proportions,' UN warns", CNN

April 22, 2020

There is a higher probability that people will die from the aftermath of the coronavirus than from the virus itself. This article talks about how the lockdown, the economic recession and other effects of this pandemic will double the number of people that WHO estimated for the year of 2020. This shows how a multitude of identities act together on a person and affect them on a deeper level. While reading this article, I thought of a single woman from a working class, who even before this pandemic found it hard to make ends meet. How is she living with this whole lockdown, fear? Is her number one concern the COVID-19, or where the food will come from, or how she will pay the bills? or even worse, is she worried about both??

It is important to understand that although we are fighting with the same enemy worldwide, the burdens are different. The working class will be more affected by this pandemic. Poverty itself is a burden so when added on by a pandemic, loss of work opportunities, the situation can become less unbearable.

Post by: Gasana Elyvine

“Detroit man with virus symptoms dies after 3 ERs turn him away, family says: “He was begging for his life”, CBS News

April 22, 2020

Knowing that people of color have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, the fear of medical bias in viral treatment is becoming a reality. This Black man could not get tested and could not get treatment, and he ended up dying. The rest of his family could only get tested due to a connection they have to the government, and once they did they found that five other members of the family tested positive as well. It is becoming increasingly evident that testing is not equally accessible to everyone in this country--like most of our healthcare system, it is dependent on money, status, and connections. Governor Whitmer has created a task force to investigate the racial aspect of Michigan’s actions regarding this crisis, and she is one of the first officials to do so. It is good that we are monitoring the situation as it develops, but it is disheartening that we need to do so at all. Our medical professionals have already stepped up, but we need to be sure that they remain aware of the conscious or unconscious biases that they may carry, and how those biases will affect who lives or dies.

Post by: Abby Jaroszewicz

“Time to Tackle Two Crises at Once, Activist Thunberg Says on Earth Day,” The New York Times

April 22nd, 2020

As Earth Day came and passed, millions focused on the pandemic at hand instead of the health of our world. Moreover, famous climate change activist Greta Thunberg claimed that “we need to tackle two crises at once:" the more obvious COVID 19 and the subtle, deadly effects of climate change. So, this article discusses the effects of COVID on the environment and questions how to move forward while keeping the health of the world in mind.

It’s no surprise that while human activity and industrialization came to a sudden stop, the world was given months to heal. With economies down, wildlife has had a chance to return to the streets and their other habitats. Fish, for example, have been spotted in Venice canals due to the lack of noise and pollution from motor boats. Pollution has also declined in India, and as a result, people can physically see the Himalayas for the first time in decades. Furthermore, satellite images show an improvement in air quality throughout Europe and Asia, specifically China. For the first time in a long time, people in China can see a blue sky. In fact, emissions in Shanghai have dropped over 20% within the first few months of 2020.

In a more global context, there is a very prominent issue of restarting industrialization to boost economies or to cease all activity to preserve our Earth. Clearly, both choices will not be long-lasting. This issue also continues to affect political campaigns in the US. While Trump’s platform focuses on capitalism and the health of the economy, Biden claims that his focus is on both the health of the economy as well as the health of the Earth. Evidently, the tug of war between industrialization and stopping climate change continues to affect everyone.

Although the Coronavirus pandemic is expected to drive CO2 emissions down by 6% this year (which will be the biggest drop since WWII), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) claims that this is not enough to stop climate change and global warming. Furthermore, Thunberg and other climate change allies, myself included, agree that when we restart our economies, we also have to put more sustainable and permanent protocols in place.

Post by: Rhea Dhar

“50 years after the first Earth Day, we are in the midst of a pandemic. And we need science more than ever,” USA Today

April 22, 2020

Environmental issues are feminist issues. Due to COVID-19 causing many countries to shut down, there have been satellite images of pollution levels decreasing. There have also been fantastic images of certain species returning to their natural habitats. Senator Tom Udall from N.M. says that the destruction of nature not only threatens our planet, but also threatens public health. I believe that when the climate crisis is irreversible, that people of the lower class will be the most affected by it than any other class. If the world turns into The Lorax and we have to buy oxygen, many people will be unable to do so. As constituents, we need to hold politicians more accountable for following environmental Acts or laws. At the end of the day, it won’t be the politicians in trouble if the Earth goes into crisis, it’ll be us.

Post by: Eleanor Smith

“1st Known U.S. COVID-19 Death Was Weeks Earlier Than Previously Thought”, NPR

April 22, 2020

The more we learn about the origins of this pandemic, the more obvious the negligence of the government becomes. After early claims that the first American COVID-19 death occurred on February 28, post-mortem testing now shows that the first COVID-19 related death actually occurred on February 6, at a time when testing was virtually inaccessible to individuals who didn’t meet very specific CDC requirements. As research into the origins of this epidemic continue, it will be interesting to see just how long ago this virus began impacting Americans, as well as how long it took the government to even consider taking appropriate actions to protect the public.

Post by: Zoë Schultheiss

“Even during a Pandemic, Fatphobia Won’t Take a Day Off”, Bitch Media

April 21st, 2020

The article talks about the recent restrictions that have come to light over which coronavirus patients will be allowed ventilator, a limited resource. The factors that restrict who should get access to a ventilator include age, failing organs, and body mass index (BMI) over 25. In addition to this problematic restriction, Dr. Fauci has repeatedly stated that heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and obesity put more people at risk for COVID-19. People took to Twitter to express their outrage about a frequent bias or discrimination in the medical community toward “fat people,” and the reassurance of this negative bias by someone as important as Dr. Fauci. The article discusses that people within and outside of the medical field already see a fat body as a sick body, and that this issue has been present for a very large time. Fatphobia is now getting emphasized and reinforced with the correlation to obesity and BMI to the coronavirus, and people are worried that this will lessen their chances of getting aid or medical help if they are faced with COVID-19. The article states that the “fight for fat liberation” is more important now than ever, considering the life or death scenarios at hand during the pandemic.

Post by: Gabrielle White

“Michigan Gov. Whitmer Takes Pay Cut During COVID-19 Outbreak”, U.S. News

April 21, 2020

In an effort to lead by example, Governor Whitmer will be taking a 10% pay cut during the COVID-19 pandemic and has asked her senior staff to follow suit. As this article mentions, Governor Whitmer has been at the forefront of government responses to COVID-19, and has gained lots of national attention for implementing one of the harshest stay-at-home orders and consistently fighting for more medical supplies from the federal government. It is important to note that, despite being one of the most proactive government officials in regards to her response to COVID-19, she is one of the first governors to voluntarily accept a pay cut. This is typical of a normal patriarchal society, such as ours, as women are expected to make great sacrifices for others and put themselves last. Although Governor Whitmer’s pay cut may prove to be beneficial for Michigan’s economy in the long-run, it demonstrates her desire and willingness to put the residents of Michigan first, even if it means putting herself last.

Post by: Maddie Smith

"Gov. Whitmer creates Michigan Coroanvirus Task Force on Racial Disparities", ABC News

April 21, 2020

First of all, let's start by acknowledging the fact that they spelled Coronavirus "Coroanvirus" in the title of this article. Second, I am incredibly pleased to see that Governor Whitmer has created this task force as minority groups in general are more affected by coronavirus than others. However, it seems like it took a little longer than necessary for the creation of this task force. Personally, I think Governor Whitmer is more progressive than her actions and policies show, but she tries hard to work across the aisle in order to get things done quickly and efficiently. This tactic may have led to the delay in creation of this task force, but nonetheless I am glad to see steps being taken to understand the racial disparities of the coronavirus pandemic. The task force appears to be made of a diverse group of individuals which is important due to the nature of the work they will be conducting. The task force will also continue work about three months after the state of emergency in Michigan is over.

Post by: Aidan Winters

"Pregnant and Scared of 'Covid Hospitals,' They're Giving Birth at Home'"

April 21 2020

As coronavirus continues to grow, the concerns of women seem to grow. Aziza, who is weeks from giving birth to her child, is worried about entering a hospital right now in New York City. She heard about some mothers tested positive after giving birth and as well as some of their midwives, so she decided that she should give birth at home.

Women have to make the tough choices for their families, its hard to choose the hospital that is holding victims of corona, even though its much safer, you are given drugs, it does not outweigh the safety of a new born baby.

Post by: Alex Morales

“Women Bearing Brunt Of COVID-19 Recession; 1 In 5 Children May Be At Risk Of Poverty Says Study”, Forbes

April 21, 2020

The following article was published by Forbes, where the author discusses the results of a National Bureau of Economic Research report which claims women are facing more hardships due to the economic downturn. The article addresses the multiple reasons for this but mostly blames lack of access to childcare. The article briefly talks about how fathers may have to take on additional childcare responsibilities which could erode social norms. This fact would actually be a positive outcome as right now the division of labor has women taking on the brunt of childcare, but long term change of social norms seems unlikely given the deeply ingrained social system in place that produces this inequality. The other reasons the article claims women face more hardships is a lack of access to telecommunication and greater loss of employment for women. It is interesting that in previous economic downturns men usually face greater unemployment, but COVID-19 has changed this. This fact shows that we need to keep researching the effects the downturn in the economy has on women, as COVID-19 has changed the patterns we usually expect to see.

Post by: Devonshire McDonald

“No Room of One’s Own”, Inside Higher Ed

April 21, 2020

This article discusses how coronavirus might be decreasing the research productivity of female researchers. According to the article, journals have been reporting a decrease in papers that have been solo-authored by women, while submissions by men have gone up. This indicates that women researchers have less time for their own research. The article cites underlying gender disparities in academia as the reason for this. Women in academia have had to do more emotional labor and been responsible for more of the domestic household labor than their male counterparts even before the pandemic. Additionally, women in academia were previously found to be responsible for “taking care of the academic family” more than men. The article describes this phrase as doing more service duties and housekeeping tasks, rather than research. While there is not yet enough evidence to definitely conclude that this trend will continue, I think this pandemic has shown us the cracks in yet another unfair system.

Post by: Olivia

"5-year-old with rare complication becomes first Michigan child to die of COVID-19", The Detroit News

April 20, 2020

This article reports on the tragic death of a young Detroit girl from the novel coronavirus. I found this article particularly interesting because of the symptoms the young girl had before she was diagnosed. According to the article, she complained of a "really bad headache " before her parents got her tested. It makes me wonder if COVID-19 presents itself differently in children than in adults. Further, if the virus presents itself as a headache for children, why isn't that information being passed along to mothers, who may write off their child's headache for something less severe? I think this points to the lack of true understanding experts have on this virus, and leads me to believe that discovering the virus's effects on women and children will take too long. In the long run, many women and children may suffer and/or die from COVID-19 because their symptoms fall outside the traditional fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Post by: SaMya Overall

"How to prevent coronavirus from becoming a tool of the patriarchy", NBC News

April 20, 2020

This article illustrates the importance of gender-neutral domestic work, especially during a pandemic. Because almost the entire population of the United States has been instructed to isolate in their homes, many employers have temporarily laid off most of their employees or have required their employees to work at home. Soraya Chemaly, the author of this article, states, "To date, women make up more than 60 percent of workers who have lost jobs because of the coronavirus, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research." As more and more women are required to stay home, the unpaid labor expected of them has only increased. Unpaid labor includes, but is not limited to, child care and daily household chores. This article exemplifies how this COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to negatively affect the economic lives of women.

Post by: Megan

“Violence Against Women Up Amid Latin America COVID-19 Lockdowns”, Al Jazeera

April 20, 2020

It has been pointed out and it is very true that rates of domestic violence are increasing drastically and have become more dangerous due to government-mandated lockdowns. This is true across the globe and even places like Latin America, where they are already suffering from high rates of gender-based violence are now at a greater risk. Right before Latin America’s lockdown orders, the women organized a woman strike, where women did not leave their residences to show what the world would be like without them and to protest the killings and rapes of women. Not being able to leave their home and escape, women are at a much higher risk. Call centers experienced an exponential rise in traffic almost immediately after the lockdown was put in place. Many regions in Latin America already lacked basic services such as hotlines and prosecution of domestic violence, and as this article points out, during this crisis, the regions are falling even more behind in effectively offering help against domestic violence. There have been orders to provide resources to those suffering, but many local governments lacked the infrastructure to do so. There have been hotlines available for men to access therapy to avoid becoming violent with partners and although they don’t experience as many calls, their traffic has also risen during this time. Many people are taking advantage of this time to raise awareness about the very dangerous issues of gender-based violence. They hope efforts in place during this time continue, so that domestic violence never goes back to being hidden.

Post by: Zoe Kernohan

"Orthodox Jewish Women Are Facing an Impossible Choice Right Now", The Atlantic

April 19th, 2020

Orthodox Jewish women are having to make nearly impossible choices during this pandemic. Right now, Jewish women are having to make the choice between protecting their health and upholding their faith. Many important things in the Jewish communities all around the country have all but shut down. Synagogues have been closed, Passover seders have been cancelled, and funerals are being conducted by Zoom. However, one kind of Jewish public space has remained mostly open: mikvahs, or pools used for ritual immersions. When some Jewish women get their period, they observe niddah, or ritual impurity. During this time, and a week after, couples cannot have sex, some don’t hug or kiss or even pass objects to eachother. After the time of niddah has been completed, women must visit the mikvah, usually a small, humid, windowless room where another woman watches them dip, naked, into a pool of water that possibly a dozen other women have already used. Many Jewish women that obey the laws of niddah are terrified of immersing during the pandemic for fears of catching the virus. Many mikvahs are highly trafficked spaces that involve extensive exposure of the body in its most vulnerable state. So, why don’t they just put this tradition on hold until the pandemic is over, you might ask? Because the alternatives to not doing niddah for some Orthodox wmoen are to either remain separate from your partner indefinitely, or violate a central commandment of the Torah. Thus, their choices are to either A) risk contracting Covid-19 to perform a menstruation/sex ritual, or B) abandon your partnership and commit sin in the eyes of your God.

Post by: Audrey Bakos

"Why Do Women Make Such Good Leaders During COVID-19??", Forbes

April 19th, 2020

When COVID-19 first started spreading at a dangerous rate, women leaders took charge to protect their citizens. According to this article, the three most important factors in curbing the spread of COVID-19 are: 1. population density, 2. exposure to those who traveled, and 3. the date when things were shut down. What's interesting is that most of the countries, cities, etc., that were shut down earlier relative to other areas, most of them are led by women.

Aside from the fact that these women have arguably saved many lives, they are being bullied for being too strict or harsh. This becomes a bigger problem when male leaders who impose the same restrictions as them are praised for their efforts to stop the spread. The article then discusses how women in positions of power often experience benevolent sexism and are called derogatory names if they are either too strict or too laid back. It puts women in a difficult position; it's like they are walking on a very thin tightrope. Even when they are doing everything that can to help the people of their state / country, people still have this impulsive need to go after them.

Post by: Katie Martin

“Andrew Yang, It’s Not on Asian Americans to Prove Their “Americanness”, Bitch Media

April 17th, 2020

The article discusses Andrew Yang’s views on the hate crimes and racism toward Asian Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. The article relates the current discrimination toward Asian Americans with the coronavirus with the discrimination toward Asian Americans during World War II. Andrew Yang calls on Asian Americans to not simply call out racism, but to act against racism. Yang also calls on politicians who are Asian Americans to step up and use their positions to make improvements on racism and hate crimes in America during this time.

Post by: Gabrielle White

“Bangladesh garment workers seek unpaid wages as orders stop”, New Zealand Herald

April 17, 2020

In an industry that relies upon taking every short-cut it can to create the highest profit margins for businesses, Bengali women are the cornerstone of fast-fashion. Almost 85% of fashion exports come out of Bangladesh, brands like Forever 21, Walmart, and H&M being pumped out of factories full of women who have crammed into tight and unsafe working conditions. You remember learning about women and children losing fingers in sewing machines during the Industrial Revolution? Picture that.

But as COVID-19 impacts global retail sales, major companies have begun canceling their orders with these Bengali suppliers, resulting in employers keeping wages from their employees. Workers in Bangladesh don’t have anywhere near the same kinds of rights we do in the United States. Any attempt to unionize is met by severe punishment, oftentimes physical. Demanding their wages be paid is a huge risk these Bengali women are taking, and it is vital that they receive the necessary support to do so.

Sheltering at home and need something to watch? If you’re interested in learning more about the fast-fashion industry, check out “The True Cost”. https://truecostmovie.com/

Post by: Zoë Schultheiss

“Women leaders are doing a disproportionately great job at handling the pandemic. So why aren't there more of them?”, CNN

April 16, 2020

The article gets into the differences between how women leaders around the world are handling the pandemic and how men are handling it. First, it is important to note that women make up only 10% of the world’s leaders and around 24% of governments. Of the places led by women they all have a substantial amount of fewer infections and deaths compared to the rest of the world. For example, Taiwan has only 393 cases and 6 deaths in a country of million. The article, which is an opinion piece, follows by very vocally shaming men that refused to listen to science at the most important time in this crisis and for that reason put their citizens at a much higher risk for example Trump. I was very humored by this article because for the 21 years that I have been alive I’ve been told that women are bad in crisis and that they are bad leaders that would start a war if they were menstruating. A global pandemic has begun to prove those stereotypes wrong.

Post by: Tammi Cervantes.

"COVID-19 Shows US We Need Me Too More Than Ever", National Women's Law Center

April 16, 2020

This article puts an emphasis on why Me Too during COVID-19 is needed more than ever. During times of crisis, many become grateful for having the minimums such as maintaining their jobs and places to live that they ignore harassment and abuse. Me Too tends to be something pushed back as something that currently "doesn't matter" during crisis, but during these times it is very relevant. "The COVID-19 crisis puts many workers at greater risk of harassment and workplace abuse." Many women hold low-paying essential jobs that put them on the front lines and at the highest risk. "The health and economic crisis increases the risk of domestic and sexual violence at home." Many survivors of sexual and domestic violence no longer have safe havens due to closings and lock down during COVID-19. The article points out that now is a time to expand/preserve civil rights. It is also time for policy makers to address the impact that the crisis is having on survivors by ensuring/expanding current policies to protect survivors and provide them with adequate resources. It seems survivors are put to the side during crisis when during these times they need protection the most.

Post by: Arianna Pittenger

"The Coronavirus Strike Wave Could Shift Power to Workers - for Good", The Nation

April 16, 2020

This pandemic has shown the world what jobs are actually essential. Our essential workers are our doctors, nurses, mail carriers, delivery drivers, truck drivers, grocery store workers, fast-food employees, etc. However, these people’s pay-checks and working conditions say that they are not essential, rather they are expendable. Workers at fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Checkers, Domino’s, and Waffle House have gone on strike in multiple cities across many states. Even workers who work for companies that have never gone on strike like workers such as Family Dollar, Food Lion, Whole Foods, and Shell gas stations are going on strike. They are on strike because they feel that they are being put at risk by continuing to go to work, especially if their place of work has not given them proper masks or taken any precautions. Some workers are protesting to gain better working conditions, others protest in hopes of getting hazard pay, and some are protesting to have their place of work completely shut down. These are the people that are keeping America on her feet. They are the reason that we have not done a complete and lethal spiral. They are owed better pay and safer working conditions.

Post by: Audrey Bakos

"India coronavirus: The underpaid and unprotected women leading the Covid-19 war", BBC News

April 16, 2020

Ashas (Accredited Social Health Activists) are fulfilling an important role in their communities during this pandmenic. Ashas support the families in their community by visiting homes, educating families about isolation, and monitoring people with symptoms of the virus. Ashas also collect data when they are working, so leaders of their government can release information to the citizens. Despite the fact that Ashas are essential workers the government believes their lives are not even worth a dollar, and they are paid $13 a month for COVID-19 related work. In addition to the poor pay, there is a shortage of sanitizing supplies in India, so there are some Ashas taking care of potential COVID-19 victims without masks and other protective wear. India is facing a severe shortage of personal protective equipment leaving doctors and nurses unprotected. Some Ashas use cotton masks they can wash and use daily, they also have made their own hand sanitizer. Ashas are essential workers to the Indian communities and should be treated like their work is valued because of how much they are giving to their community.

Post By: Dallas Sumrall

"Landlords are Allegedly Asking for Sex from Tenants Who Can't Afford to Pay Rent Right Now", Buzzfeed News

April 15, 2020

With COVID-19 causing millions of people to lose their income, landlords are going to new extremes in order to receive their rent. At least 10 complaints have been made to the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women involving landlords sexually harassing their tenants in response to rent issues. Since the outbreak began, landlords have sent unwelcome explicit photos and proposed cuddling or sex as an alternative form of payment.

In addition to being very illegal, these instances of harassment are nauseating. It's awful that landlords are taking advantage of those who are facing financial hardships for their own personal gain. Now, on top of worrying about money, tenants have possible evictions or the stress of finding a new home looming over them. Having a roof over your head or safe place to stay is crucial right now with the pandemic still at its peak.

Another thing to point out is that women of color and trans women are more likely to experience this harassment by landlords. The article states that the best course of action would be to report their landlord to their local legal aid or tenant's rights organization.

Post by: Katie Martin

“COVID-19 Should Be a Wake-Up Call for Feminists”, Jacobin Mag

April 15, 2020

Millions of women throughout the world are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, being that a lot of them are now out of work. In both rich and poor countries, women are overrepresented in low-paid work jobs. These same jobs have been quickly lost due to the social-distancing efforts. This has left women, many of whom were already living at the poverty line, with no way to buy food or pay their bills. Adding to the pressures of dangerous working conditions, and an unequal division of labor at home is the surge of violence perpetrated against women world by domestic partners and family members. In many different country reports, there has been an increase in domestic violence against women. Feminist have learned from this pandemic that they need to programs and networks that are solely for them to help in a time of need like this.

Post by: Nekiya Davis

"Surprising number of pregnant women at NYC hospitals test positive for COVID-19", LiveScience

April 15, 2020

The article states that 33 out of 215 pregnant women tested positive for COVID-19 in NYC hospitals. I think this is interesting because I've never thought about the effect of the pandemic on pregnant women. These women have to keep up with checkups in hospitals buzzing with COVID-19 patients which puts them at a high risk of contracting the disease. Also, because the disease itself is so new, it is unclear how it affects unborn children. This article doesn't bring into account the race of these women. However, considering the disease disproportionately affects people of color and that women of color are more likely to miscarry or have a stillbirth, if a pregnant woman of color were to contract COVID-19, it would decrease her chance of having a healthy child. This pandemic has exposed the crack in our healthcare system and how it is unfit for women, especially women of color.

Post by: SaMya Overall

"The secret weapon in the fight against coronavirus: women", The Guardian

April 15, 2020

Data has shown that countries with women leaders are faring much better in the battle against COVID-19 than countries with male leaders. Are we really surprised? This article does a good job providing statistics showing how much better countries with women leaders are doing compared to others, but also touches on what NOT to assume just because these countries are female led. Many could use this data as an argument to reinforce stereotypes that women are more compassionate and caring than men which is not what we should be gathering from this data. It could certainly be attributed to the fact that women leaders are held to much higher standards than their male counterparts, you can easily argue that a woman will have to work much harder than a man to get a job of the same caliber. It is important to recognize the incredible things these women are doing to help their countries but we must be sure to avoid stereotypes and rightfully attribute the reasons for such successes.

Post by: Aidan Winters

“Protesters angry with Gov. Whitmer’s stay-at-home order gridlock Michigan capitol”, MLive

April 15, 2020

In an attempt to protest the mandatory stay-at-home order implemented by Governor Whitmer to keep individuals safe from COVID-19, hundreds of people traveled to Lansing to gridlock the Michigan capitol. Although protest organizers encouraged individuals to stay inside their vehicles and remain socially distant, many protesters began to form crowds and ignored CDC guidelines to stay 6 feet apart from one another, most likely worsening the situation. Governor Whitmer responded by kindly encouraging individuals who plan to protest to do safely. The protest was planned to “show people’s frustration” with the extended stay-at-home order, as mentioned in this article, and is a clear example of how women in the political arena are relentlessly attacked for the decisions they make. Even in times of unprecedented crisis, this seems to remain true, as Governor Whitmer experiences a vast amount of backlash for doing what is required to save lives.

Post by: Maddie Smith

“For Black Men, Fear That Masks Will Invite Racial Profiling”, The New York Times

April 14, 2020

As the outbreaks of COVID-19 have been increasing in the United States, people have been increasingly advised to wear masks when they leave their home. However, wearing masks out in public brings uncertainty to a group of people; specifically Black men. This article focuses on how these men feel when they are told they have to walk around wearing masks, even though others may relate them to criminal activity. Black men already worry about this racial profiling on a daily basis and being fearful of wearing something that may protect their life is the sad truth these men have to live with since the outbreak. Not to mention, if these individuals went outside with a bandana around their face, as I have seen many people do recently, they would be immediately targeted and assumed to be gang related. This writer also mentions some profiling events that have happened due to these individuals wearing surgical masks. Since this pandemic, more and more people are living with additional fear that results from the coronavirus and racist beliefs.

Post by: Kaylee

“Tribes feeling brunt of coronavirus impact in NM”, Albuquerque Journal

April 14, 2020

As this pandemic drags on, we are learning more and more about the gaps in our health care and pandemic response, due to how this virus disproportionately affects people of color. One group that is consistently forgotten when discussing our current crises is our Indigenous population. All of the factors that put communities of color at risk--lack of healthcare facilities, high poverty, pre-existing conditions, and prejudice--also put Indigenous communities at risk. Indigenous nations also often are in geographical isolation, so they are more at risk of an outbreak if/when COVID-19 reaches them. In New Mexico, their Indigenous nations are less than 11% of the population, but account for more than 30% of positive cases. When we think of the injustices in our healthcare system, we should also think of the difficulties that Indigenous nations are facing amidst this pandemic, as they are so often left out of the equation.

Post by: Abby Jaroszewicz

“Black women are the hardest hit by the coronavirus unemployment crisis, new survey data shows”, Business Insider

April 14, 2020

This article addresses the issue of economic inequality in the time of a global pandemic. The article says that black women are facing the most economic hardship due to coronavirus. A survey conducted by the non-profit Lean In, found that black women were much more likely to report being laid off and being unable to pay for necessities during this time.

This article also discusses some of the reasons for this inequality. One reason being that black women are overrepresented in the service industry, especially low-paying service jobs. This industry has been one of the hardest hit industries, and black women are suffering as a result. Other reasons that explain this inequality are the systems that were already in place. Black women face the double-jeopardy of being black and being a woman in every aspect of their lives, and facing more economic hardships during a global pandemic is a consequence of this. This pandemic is not creating new problems, it is simply highlighting the problems that already exist within our systems.

Post by: Olivia

“Women fighting COVID-19 are underpaid and overworked”, The Atlantic

April 14, 2020

The gender pay gap has long been noted across the world. COVID-19 only exposes this pay gap in many arenas, especially within the healthcare system. The healthcare system is riddled with pay gaps, racial, and socio-economic disparities between the highest paying jobs and lowest. The median average pay of a nurse is $74,000 and a home/personal health aide is $24,000 (25% are uninsured).

“These phenomena are common in majority-female industries. Women dominate 23 of the 30 lowest-paying jobs in America. In occupations where women make up more than half of the workforce, weekly compensation is roughly 15 percent lower than for jobs predominantly filled by men. In fact, as soon as women flock to any given profession, pay drops. According to Ariane Hegewisch, program director of employment and earnings at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, care work, which “traditionally was done in the home for free by women” is particularly undervalued; these jobs pay less than others that require similar levels of education and skill.”

This article goes into more detail about these pay-gaps. Shelly Hughes shares her story as a nursing-home aide working in Washington where the first hard hit nursing home COVID-19 outbreaks occurred. Working long 12 hour shifts, taking care of 18 patients at a time, and facing staffing shortages on a daily basis, only adds to the stress she deals with daily. Another nurse shares her experience; the lack of PPE, fellow nurses falling ill, some dying, general working conditions, and fear of contracting COVID-19, weighs heavily. All of these women’s testimony have a common theme, they are overworked and underpaid. It is important to note that most of these women will not receive paid-leave and those who do will not have enough hours needed to quarantine should they become ill. “Without paid leave—and after healthcare workers were mostly exempted from Congress’s paid leave expansion in its aid package—“you’re super exposed, [but] you have much less choice about stepping back, so you have to work,” Hegewisch said.

Post by: Brandy

"A Woman Living Alone: Seven stories of solitude during the coronavirus, from ages 24 to 86," Washington Post

April 14, 2020

This article discusses how in recent years women have begun either choosing to remain single longer or are getting married at older ages which means more women are living alone than ever before. The article states that “From one decade to the next, women are alone for different reasons: A 24-year-old is stranded when her graduate school cancels classes; a 33-year-old has been looking for a partner but isn’t having any luck. At 46, one woman is relishing her freedom, while another, 61, mourns her husband’s death. Some are living alone for the first time; others have been alone a lifetime.” The article claims that for many reasons, women are more able to be alone than men.

Throughout the article, stories from women of different ages in different living situations share stories about their time in quarantine. I find it really interesting reading about how others are doing during this time, but specifically I found it interesting how each of the women were trying to remain positive. The one common thing each of them shared was that even though they were going through a difficult time, they were trying to remain positive and find things to entertain them.

Post By: Bianca Bucholtz

"Gender Justice Funders Address Impact of COVID-19 on Women and Girls", Forbes

April 14, 2020

This article raises awareness of all the foundations and funds helping women and children, LGBTQ+, trans, non-binary individuals during these tough times. The article references a study from the U.K. that found that women were one-third more likely to work in a sector that has been shut down. This is encouraging philanthropic funders to step up and act. Gender-based violence is also an increased risk for women at this time, with no government support offered. There are foundations checking in on women who are stuck and affected by domestic violence. There are funds helping the survivors of violence and the millions of women of color, Indigenous and immigrant women who make up the essential work force, putting their lives at risk everyday. Women and girls are being hit hard by this pandemic and many are willing to help and offer support.

Post by: Zoe Kernohan

"Universal Screening for SARS-CoV-2 in Women Admitted for Delivery," NE Journal of Medicine

April 13th, 2020

Throughout this article, there are many concerns for women who are pregnant and being admitted for the delivery of their newborns admidst COVID-19. "After these two cases were identified, we implemented universal testing with nasopharyngeal swabs and a quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction test to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in women who were admitted for delivery," from a New York City hospital, which is the best precaution for pregnant women during this time. Quarantining and social distancing is more than essential for women delivering newborns right now and for the next months as far as we know. When it comes to women being admitted, "of the 29 women who had been asymptomatic but who were positive for SARS-CoV-2 on admission, fever developed in 3 (10%) before postpartum discharge (median length of stay, 2 days)," this is a concern for any woman giving birth going into a hospital whether feeling symptoms or not and considering not giving birth in a hospital. This information can be either relieving or more stressful for mothers-to-be.

Post by: Adrienne Puryear

“What Do Countries With The Best Coronavirus Responses Have In Common? Women Leaders,” Forbes

April 13th, 2020

In recent news, female leaders seem to be handling this pandemic better than their male counterparts due to their different, more effective leadership qualities: truthfulness, decisiveness, technology, and compassion.

Instead of masking the frightening nature of Covid- 19 in an attempt to look falsely “strong” and “confident,” female leaders have chosen to be transparent and truthful. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, stated that this deadly strain will infect up to 70% of the population. Whereas other male leaders have told their citizens to “not worry,” the Chancellor encouraged the people of Germany to take this “very seriously.” As a result, Germany skipped over the feelings of anger and denial (unlike the US) and began testing right away. Clearly this form of leadership was most effective because Germany’s death rate remained far below its European neighbors, and Germany might even reopen soon.

When it comes to decisiveness and quick action, Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan and Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand deserve the spotlight. Tsai Ing-wen introduced 124 safety measures when the first few cases of COVID-19 occurred back in January. Clearly, this worked because now Taiwan has only had 6 deaths compared to the thousands in the US alone. Now, she is helping other countries by sending 10 million masks to the US and Europe. Jacinda Ardern also demanded lockdowns and safety measures very early, and as a result only 4 deaths have occurred. Instead of luring their people into a false sense of hope, both dealt with the problems seriously and way ahead of time, and as a result their death rates are unbelievably low.

Technology plays a huge role in this pandemic. In the US, it costs about $4000 dollar to get tested, and tests are only given to those showing serious symptoms. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir of Iceland, testing is done for free and provided for all citizens. Due to this, Iceland has not needed to shut schools down yet.

Oftentimes female leaders are pressured into “leading like men,” meaning female leaders are pressured into limiting their compassion. However, as we have seen, it’s time men start learning how to lead like women. Norway’s Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, came up with the idea of using TV to talk to children directly about COVID-19. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, also had this idea to cater to the children. In fact, she held a press conference where she only answered the children’s questions.

Clearly, these female leaders know exactly what to do and how to do it, and it reflects in the data. I think it's time we start following the footsteps of these effective leaders.

Post by: Rhea Dhar

“Coronavirus: When home gets violent under lockdown in Europe” , BBC News

April 13, 2020

This article focuses on the spike in violent deaths from abusers across Europe. The writer, Natalie Higgins, uses examples of women that have recently passed due to their abusers killing them. An example they use is the story of Lorena Quaranta who was working on becoming a doctor in Italy. However, her work within the COVID unit was not the reason for her death, her partner confessed to killing her to the police. The writer also describes the reactions of the women’s hometowns. In the Spanish town, Almassora, they hung their flags at half-mast for a number of days following Carina’s murder.

Spain’s helpline for endangered women has received 18% more calls than in recent months. In France there is a 286% increase in the number of emails received by domestic help centers. These calls for help can go unanswered for a number of days causing women to stay in a dangerous environment. However, in Spain’s Canary Islands they have stated that women evading from abusers is an essential travel. They can go to their nearest pharmacy and ask for the ‘Mask-19’ which will save them from their abusers. Some countries are doing more than others, in Russia police responded to a domestic call and simply told the women, “they couldn't throw him out because it was his flat,” (Higgins). In Denmark, the government has funded for 55 more rooms to open in shelters for the next four months. COVID-19 is causing women to stay within reach of their abusers, countries are trying to encourage these women to seek help even in such an uncertain time.

Post by: Maddy Schlossenberg

“Women ‘Falling Off The Cliff Of Fertility’ As Pandemic Puts Treatments On Hold”, NPR

April 12, 2020

This article addresses the issues of infertility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article discusses how many women are unable to continue with their planned fertility treatments due to coronavirus. According to the article, most fertility treatments are being deemed non-essential to increase social distancing and lessen the current strain on the healthcare system.

As pointed out in the article, the closing of fertility clinics is discriminatory towards LGBTQ+ individuals, because for many IVF is their only way to become pregnant. Although there are risks to coming into receive fertility treatments, women are not being allowed to balance the risks for themselves and make their own decisions. There are risks of coronavirus that could affect not only these women, but society as a whole by potentially increasing the spread of coronavirus. However, this risk needs to be compared to the harm of not allowing women to be in control of their fertility. As mentioned in the article, time is essential in a woman's battle against infertility.

Post by: Olivia

“Go natural, try a new style or panic? How black women in the coronavirus era deal with their hair”, LA Times

April 11, 2020

In their day to day lives, employed Black women struggle to conform to the obscene construction society has imposed on them when it comes to styling their hair. Black women have been and continue to be wrongfully shamed in the workplace for the ways in which they wear their hair. The closing of salons during this pandemic has left Black women and their hair in distress. Because of their heavy reliance on hairstylists, many do not know how to handle or style their natural hair. This article provides Black women with information that can help to relieve them of at least some of the anxiety that has accompanied this pandemic.

Post by: Megan

“How to Save Black and Hispanic Lives in a Pandemic”, NY Times

April 11, 2020

The title of this article would seem to be a call to action for the American people on how they can help, but upon reading it is more of a callout of the broken American government. The opening discusses the disproportionate rate that African Americans and Hispanic communities suffer from poverty, poor health care, and chronic diseases. Addressing specific government practices in certain areas is more effective for illustrating to the readers what issues are happening that they may not even be aware of. I went into this article somewhat skeptical, but I found there was a lot of specific information to highlight the struggle. There was a call for there to be greater reports on how coronavirus affects people based on race, gender, and age. Ignoring this by only focusing on a majority means that if something like this were to happen again, there would not be extra protection for those groups.

Posted by: Eleanor Smith

“ 'If you're black you can't go out': Africans in China face racism in Covid-19 crackdown” , France 24

April 11, 2020

During this pandemic , many things have revealed their true colors. Among those inclcude xenophobic behaviours of Chinese people towards Africans who reside in China.

This article talks about the struggles Africans are facing during thisCOVID-19 only because they are black. Some have been forced to move out of their apartments, there was a viral video of how africans in Guangzhou have been restricted to enter any restaurants to get food. Before COVID-19, this could have been an unbelievable opinion, due to China's sudden interest in investing in African countries during the 21st century.

In my opinion, this article shows that for us Black people racism hasn’t spared us at all! Black people are fighting two viruses, the virus of hatred/racism on top of the world pandemic coronavirus.

Post by: Gasana Elyvine

"Where are women's voices in the coronavirus crisis?", The Guardian

April 11, 2020

Throughout this article, it shows that women voices can be useful with the current crisis. It begins by stating that male drivers on the road are more dangerous than female drivers. Boris Johnson has acted recklessly in the past. It states, “Few politicians – let alone a future prime minister – could get away with having boasted, as he did in the Spectator magazine, of driving at 160 mph up the M40.” His behavior is known to be the central of his political appeal. The article points out that it's men that who imposed the lock down on women and children.

Post by: Alex Morales

"The New Coronavirus Appears To Take A Greater Toll On Men Than On Women", NPR

April 10, 2020

Throughout testing in different countries, women are less susceptible to COVID-19 than men are because on their stronger immune systems. In the article Veena Taneja, studying female and male immune systems at Mayo Clinic, say "The X chromosome has lots of immune-response genes. We know females have two X chromosomes while men only have one. This testing being done of men and women between immune systems and their functionality is wonderful, because like discussed in the article and in class female bodies overall have not been used for biomedical studies as men's bodies have. "Women have often been excluded from biomedical research," giving less insight into how not only our bodies and immune system interact but how we could possibly engineer it so that men steer more clear of viruses.

Post by: Adrienne Puryear

“During Coronavirus Pandemic, Women’s Unemployment Exceeds Men’s in Almost All Sectors”, Ms. Magazine

April 9, 2020

The U.S. economy has suffered a huge blow because of the coronavirus, which has ultimately caused many people to lose their jobs. Women workers are paying a bigger price than men. According to Women’s Policy Research, women’s job losses outnumbered men’s in almost all sectors of the economy. Weirdly, as women were losing their jobs in industries such as education, health services, financial services, and construction and information- men’s employment in these areas actually grew.

Hispanic women, Black men, and young workers are being impacted even worse. In fact, Hispanic women have the highest rate of unemployment among women (6.0 percent, a 22 percent increase in 4 weeks to mid March). The rate of unemployment for Black men (7.0 percent) is almost twice as high as the rate for White men (3.7 percent) and White women (3.6 percent). As for young workers, they are the only group currently with rates of unemployment in the double digits. The rate of unemployment for young women ages 16 to 19 is 14.3 percent.

Post by: Megan S

“Put women and girls at centre of COVID-19 recovery: UN Secretary-General”, UN News

April 9, 2020

Women are increasingly being affected by the effects of COVID-19 in many ways. One way in which many do not focus on is how women are struggling economically. In this article by United Nations News, they draw their focus to women because, “Nearly 60 per cent of women around the world work in the informal economy, earning less, saving less, and at greater risk of falling into poverty. As markets fall and businesses close, millions of women’s jobs have disappeared”; This quote comes directly from António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations. This being said, women are more likely to hold jobs that pay less and are not typically essential, which leads to many women falling into poverty during this time. Therefore, women should be at the center of recovery efforts; this is done by "making them leaders and equally involved in decision-making". Making an effort in improving the gender gap, especially during this pandemic, is incredibly important economically and socially.

Post by: Kaylee

“COVID-19 clinicians wrestle with false negative results”, The Verge

April 9, 2020

Plenty of clinical tests result in false negatives or false positives--HPV and Strep throat, to name a few from this article by The Verge. It is quite normal, though depending on the virus or disease it can be more dangerous. COVID-19 is difficult to test because the place the viral cells are most likely to be is the back of the nasal cavity, which is very difficult to swab if you aren’t trained to do so. Usually if a doctor is unsure about the test results they can order another, but in the case of COVID-19, tests are so sparse that doctors are put in a position where they need to choose either to trust the test and proceed without protective gear, or to admit the patient to the hospital based on symptoms even though their test was negative.

This type of moral dilemma is terrifying. Doctors are already being forced to choose who to admit and who to treat, but now they must choose even to believe their instincts or the tests. Health care workers are the heroes right now, but we can’t deny that even they can have bias. We know statistically that Black women are particularly at risk of being discriminated against regarding health care, due to various intersectional levels of oppression. We also already know that people of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 because of the structural disadvantages our society places on them. It is important to keep in mind, as we learn more about the dilemmas that health practitioners are facing, that it is difficult to operate above internalized prejudices.

Post by: Abby Jaroszewicz

"'The world is going to hell': Coronavirus can be deadly for people recovering from addiction", USA Today

April 9, 2020

When one thinks about marginalized groups and intersectionality the tendency is to first think about race, socio-economic status, and gender. Yet there are many groups that are affected by COVID-19, not always spoken about in the media; those struggling with addiction disorder and the stigma that follows is one of them.

This article discusses the effects COVID-19 has on those suffering from addiction or in recovery. Addiction needs to be considered an underlying condition not only for the health risks it poses, but also for the socio-economic ones as well. Addicts are more likely to relapse, become homeless, and face food disparity according to this article. Those who are in recovery may not receive the medication they need to treat their addiction, in-person 12-step meetings are closed, there is no security/anonymity for new online meetings being held, and addiction centers are struggling to keep patients safe.

Just as some states are trying to state that abortion is an elective procedure, thus banning it, clinics that dispense lifesaving medication to those suffering from addiction have now closed. Clinics dispense these medications because of strict regulations that do not allow pharmacies to dispense them in the United States. It is up to the individual states to offer at home plans (or not offer) and how they will be regulated. As America has been facing an opioid epidemic for years, this pandemic will only make things worse. COVID-19 is magnifying the broken systems we have and how marginalized groups are vastly affected in so many ways.

Post by: Brandy

“Technically Legal in Northern Ireland, Abortions are Still Unobtainable”, The New York Times

April 9, 2020

Abortion was recently made legal in Northern Ireland after a 158-year ruling against them. Now, despite legal, citizens of Northern Ireland are still unable to obtain abortions and are forced to take the eight-hour ferry ride to Liverpool, England amidst coronavirus lockdown and exposure risks. The public believes that the deadlock and excuses over how/when to start providing safe and legal abortions is ultimately an attempt to delay the entire process of providing access to abortion at all. According to the Department of Health, due to the coronavirus outbreak, an “agreement to begin providing abortions had to be reviewed.” The blockage and suspension of providing a given right of choice to abortion is seen as “cruel” and “inhumane” to the women of Northern Ireland, who are forced to travel hours spend hundreds, and ultimately risk exposure or infection of COVID-19 in order to obtain a safe abortion. According to the article, “Between the coronavirus and the delay in rolling out the new law, women in Northern Ireland are finding it harder to access abortion services than they have been in 50 years.” The women in Northern Ireland are experiencing much unneeded turmoil and distress in concern to abortion access on top of a global pandemic.

Post by: Gabrielle White

"Trudeau to fund abortion as part of $159 million pledge to fight COVID-19 overseas" LifeSite

April 9, 2020

Although this article comes from a pro-life, alt-right news source, the content is incredibly important (I could not find a recent article from a better source so bear with me!) The commitment to women's sexual and reproductive rights is incredible and so much better than what we are seeing in our country today! It is important to keep these issues in mind during times of crisis and understand how a pandemic may effect them. Trudeau talks about how this pandemic has the potential to increase inequalities and reverse developmental gains, especially in underdeveloped countries and he is working hard to combat these issues before they even happen. It is refreshing to see a leader who is fighting so hard to incorporate a feminist approach to leading a country, when we have the exact opposite here in America.

Post by: Aidan Winters

"Rihanna, Jack Dorsey Donate $4.2 Million to Aid Domestic Violence Victims Amid COVID-19 Crisis," Rolling Stones

April 9, 2020

On April 7, Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey pledged to donate $1 billion (roughly 28% of his net worth) to fund Covid-19 relief around the world (Jack Dorsey to donate $1 billion to fund COVID-19 relief and other charities). Following the pandemic, he plans on donating the rest of the money to fund girl’s health and education across the world as well as UBI (Universal Basic Income). “Dorsey says UBI and women’s health and education “represent the best long-term solutions to the existential problems facing the world,” and UBI requires funding for experiments to test its efficacy in the real world.”

Following this donation, it was announced on April 9, that Dorsey and singer Rihanna were teaming up to donate $4.2 million to aid domestic violence victims, including children, living in Los Angeles amid COVID-19 crisis. “According to the Los Angeles Housing Authority, an estimated 90 people per week have been turned away from full shelters since the stay-at-home order went into effect last month. The joint grant is expected to cover 90 domestic violence victims per week through 10 weeks.”

Personally, I was excited to see one of the big "tech" names (and world's billionaire's) use their money for something as important as girls education and domestic violence support. I think it is without a doubt of the most important places people should be donating to following COVID-19 relief.

Post By: Bianca Bucholtz

“Detroit hospital workers say people are dying in the ER hallways before help can arrive”, CNN

April 9, 2020

This article provides a graphic description of the tragedies that have been caused by COVID-19, and more specifically how the illness has affected individuals in our state. Currently, Michigan has the third highest number of confirmed cases of coronavirus, with the majority of these originating from the Detroit area. As the number of cases increases daily, hospitals in Detroit (and around the world) struggle to keep up with the demand. With a limited number of healthcare workers and resources, healthcare facilities cannot successfully meet the needs of their patients, leaving them with a higher risk of mortality. This article describes how citizens of Detroit are particularly vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and having severe complications with the illness because many of them already have underlying health conditions, such as hypertension, asthma, and diabetes, caused by the increased air pollution in the area. From an intersectional perspective, the increased prevalence of underlying health conditions in Detroit citizens, and therefore an increased risk of dying from COVID-19, is a prime example of environmental racism. The increased air pollution and lack of necessary healthcare equipment in Detroit has left its citizens extremely vulnerable to the unforgiving nature of COVID-19.

Post by: Maddie Smith

“Women Are Losing More Jobs In Coronavirus Shutdowns,” NPR News April 8th 2020

According to NPR News and writer Scott Hersley, women are losing their jobs at a disproportionate rate to men.

During the first wave of lay-offs, industries such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and places that depend on tourism were the first to shut down. While it makes sense to shut down crowded places that enable and facilitate the spread of Covid-19, women make up large portions of these industries, and so they were the first to go. According to the Labor Department, more than 700,000 jobs were eliminated in the first wave of pandemic layoffs in the last month. Additionally, about 60% of those jobs were held by women.

This is one of those horrific situations where there is nothing that can be done except to wait. On the one hand, people must stay isolated for their own good and for the well- being of others. On the other hand, many people are losing their source of income: how are they going to provide for themselves or their family? How does one make the impossible choice between their health and safety or their income?

Post by: Rhea Dhar

"Black Americans Face Alarming Rates of Coronavirus Infection in Some States", Times

April 8, 2020

The article discusses the race of those that have been infected and/or died of COVID-19 in various different cities across the country. In some states like Michigan where African Americans make up only 14% of the state’s population, they account for over 30% of cases and 40% of deaths. According to the article, similar disproportions are happening in Chicago, Las Vegas, Louisiana, North and South Carolina. It has gotten to the point that the federal government is trying to make clearer reports of this disproportionality to find out the reason why this is happening. States are also starting to create task forces to find the reason for the disproportionality. The article says that health experts know exactly why this is happening, they point at historical structural inequalities, the inability for African Americans to stay home, a lack of health care and pre-existing health conditions, and that doctors are less likely to test African Americans for the virus which then increases the possibility of contamination for other in their community and the lack of treatment can result in death for many. The root of the issue dates back to redlining or at least that is what the experts say in the article. Others point to things like weathering which is a term to express high levels of stress which many African Americans have due to having to live through life as a minority and the added generational trauma which they carry. The article ends with saying that this is just the surface level numbers because most places have not released the racial break down of the infected.

Post by: Tammi Cervantes

"New York City's Latinx Residents Hit Hardest By Coronavirus Deaths", NPR

April 8, 2020

With COVID-19 cases soaring each day, New York City's Latinx residents are disproportionately being effected. This article looks at race and ethnicity data from New York City's COVID-19 patients and compares it with the city's population. Although Latinx people only make up 29% of New York City's population, 34% of those who have died from COVID-19 are Latinx. The article goes on to say that Black residents trail behind Latinx, while White and Asian residents are among those least impacted.

The article speculates that this huge disparity for Latinx folk could be due to concerns about immigration status or language barriers. Because of the current atmosphere around immigrants and immigration, this makes a lot of sense. It seems as though there's more concern about "people coming into our country and taking our jobs" than there is about human beings dying. It's humiliating and heartbreaking that people would rather chance it than risk going to a hospital because they could be arrested or deported if someone finds out they aren't here legally.

Post by: Katie Martin

"Black residents 3 times as likely to have COVID-19 cases, Ingham County reveals" The State News

April 8, 2020

This article discusses a report that the Ingham County Health Department gave about the reported cases of COVID-19 and the demographic of those who have the virus. According to the report, African Americans will have a rate of 139 cases per 100,000, which is three times the rate of their white counterparts. I believe this is because African Americans are more likely to be low-income, which means they are less likely to be financially capable of social distancing to its fullest extent. African Americans make up the majority of essential, i.e. minimum wage, jobs, meaning they are still working during this pandemic and therefore exposing themselves and their families to COVID-19. This points to the inequality of wealth, where the very people who are "essential" to keeping a society running during a pandemic risk their and their families lives to perform said jobs make under a livable wage. Also, because African Americans are more likely to have underlying health issues — as they are less likely to have sufficient health insurance, if any — they are more likely to die from complications of COVID-19, as the virus is especially harmful for those with underlying health conditions.

Post by: SaMya Overall

“The conspiracy linking 5G to coronavirus just will not die”, CNN

April 8th, 2020

With the spread of the coronavirus, "fake news" is spreading too and now it's gone too far. The latest crazy conspiracy theory suggests that 5G networks are fueling the global coronavirus pandemic. In retaliation against the 5G tech giants, people have taken matters into their own hands and have started to set cell towers on fire. Officials in the UK expressed their concerns with this conspiracy and people's reaction to it. The very cell towers people are burning are the same cell towers that healthcare providers and emergency first responders use to communicate. It is important to remember that just because two things may correlate, does not mean one causes the other. I promise, 5G networks are NOT spreading Covid-19.

Post By: Audrey Bakos

“Managing postpartum depression: New moms isolated by coronavirus pandemic”, Healthydebate

April 7, 2020

This article speaks out to new mothers struggling with postpartum depression in isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. It provides multiple, helpful sources that these mothers can reach out to during these hardships. Online sources as well as sources available by phone or text are linked and available. Ryan Van Lieshout, the author and a certified psychiatrist, provides instructions on how women can overcome the unique barriers that COVID-19 has created and prioritize self-care.

Post by: Megan

"The 26th Rwandan Genocide Anniversary Muted By Virus", BBC

April 7, 2020

This year marks 26 years after the 1994 genocide against tutsi in Rwanda.For the past 25 years survivors gathered together to the memorial sites in different part of the country to honour the lives of their lost loved ones. This gathering also meant support to the survivors and a reminder that there is hope for a better future.

This article explain that the memorial events to honor and celebrate the lives of people killed during the genocide against Tutsi will not happen due to the coronavirus. This will affect the survivors, including women who have been raped. 26 years ago, these women lost control and autonomy over their bodies and lives. Although they always remember and live with the aftermath of what happened to them in 1994, this gathering and memorial ceremonies specifically meant support and a way of regaining power over their predators. But this global pandemic is forcing them to stay in their homes and be more isolated and drown into their past alone without the hugs,and encouraging the presence of the people who lived the same traumatic life. This lockdown could mean a retarding healing to survivors, as more survivors were starting to heal and open up about their traumas COVID-19 stole away their chance of a safe environment which is free of fear and helpless deaths.

Post by: Gasana Elyvine

"Coronavirus: France racism row over doctors' Africa testing comments," BBC News

April 7, 2020

This article discusses two French doctors who are currently being accused of racism after a TV debate about what population should the tuberculosis vaccine be tested on. In the article, "Jean-Paul Mira, head of intensive care at Cochin hospital in Paris, then says: “If I can be provocative, shouldn't we be doing this study in Africa, where there are no masks, no treatments, no resuscitation? A bit like as it is done elsewhere for some studies on Aids. In prostitutes, we try things because we know that they are highly exposed and that they do not protect themselves." When the conversation went to whether to test it in Australia he didn't believe it would be effective due to healthcare workers and some of the population having access to personal protection equipment. This was met by outrage on social media over the underlined racism in his comments. Dr. Mira has since made a public apology through his employer.

Post by: Arianna Pittenger

“Coronavirus: ‘Under-25s and Women Financially Worst Hit,” BBC News

April 6, 2020

This article has a focus on the financial effect of Coronavirus in the United Kingdom. The reason that young women are getting the biggest financial hit from workplaces shutting down is due to the disproportionate amount of women that work in retail and hospitality. Women and young people in general depend on these incomes to support themselves. It is known that long periods of unemployment can have many long term effects. Many people may have to move back into unhealthy environments since they may not be able to support themselves anymore.

Post by: Eleanor Smith

"Coronavirus quarantine murders and domestic violence mean Malaysian ministry’s sexist advice is no laughing matter" South China Morning Post

April 6, 2020

The rise in reports of domestic violence following orders to stay home during the COVID-19 outbreak is a topic that has been discussed frequently in our class. In Malaysia the Ministry of Women Family and Community Development provided its tips to avoid violence within the home; including dressing properly at home and avoiding nagging their spouses. This list of tips not only openly aimed to shift the blame from the abuser to the victim, but Alice Wu discusses within this article how the advice appears especially heinous following the rise in cases of domestic abuse even following the release of these so-called tips and coming from the institution whose responsibility it is to promote gender equality and a caring society.

Post by: Madison Totty

"An Update on Gender Affirming Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Human Rights Campaign

April 6, 2020

This report is a message to the trans community in response to all gender-affirming procedures being deemed non-urgent and put on hold during the current pandemic. The researchers and medical directors from the Center for Transgender Meidcine & Surgey at Boston Medical Center understand how crucial these surgeries are to those who seek them and say that just because they are non-urgent for the time being, they are not non-essential. This is simply an action to protect the health of all communities. These health care professionals offer their support to transgender and gender diverse communities at all time, but are especially extending their reach during this time and offer telemedicine visits and hormone therapy. At the end of the report, there are tons and tons of resources available to anyone searching for help in any way during this time.

Post by: Zoe Kernohan

“Syrian Refugees In Lebanon Fear Deportation For Seeking Coronavirus Test Or Care,” NPR

April 6, 2020

The following article was published by National Public Radio, and it discusses the added struggles refugees and undocumented immigrants have when seeking treatment and testing of COVID-19. The problem is that there are some communities, such as refugee camps, where self isolation is not practical. They need to access resources daily like community restrooms and food lines. Refugees' cramped living conditions increase their exposure to others and this can lead to a quick spread of the virus. The article states that many refugees and undocumented immigrants fear the authorities and deportation. Therefore, they are hesitant to reach out and seek medical attention. This article specifically focuses on Lebanon, as refugee communities form such a large part of the population. The United Nations refugee agency said they want no obstacles for those reaching out and that no Syrians seeking treatment should be sent back to Syria. Immigration is a feminist issue as women and children comprise a large portion of migrants and asylum seekers.

Post By: Devonshire McDonald

“UN chief calls for domestic violence ‘ceasefire’ amid ‘horrifying global surge,” UN News

April 6, 2020

This article addresses the surge in domestic violence against women and girl cases amid the lockdowns caused by COVID-19. Because of this increase, there has been a strain on resources for survivors of domestic violence at this time. The article also mentions that police are less likely to arrest abusers during this time due to them limiting engagement with the public and policing lockdown orders. I think it is crazy to think that with domestic violence cases rising as much as they are, that police are even less likely to step in than normal. These women should not have to suffer for the sake of the rest of the population, and the dramatic increase of domestic violence should be treated as seriously as the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Thankfully, this article also addresses what can be done to reduce the number of domestic violence cases during this time. One UN recommendation was to set up emergency stations in pharmacies and grocery stores where women can report their abuse and receive help. I think this is a great idea because a lot of times women are the ones doing the grocery shopping and running errands, so I think this could be a great way to reach women without drawing suspicion.

Post by: Olivia

"How will humans, by nature social animals, fare when isolated? Covid-19 will harm people’s mental health," The Economist

April 4, 2020

This article discusses explains how “traumatic events, from natural disasters to war, can damage people’s mental health. The Covid-19 pandemic is no different. It has brought the fear of contagion and of loved ones falling sick. It has created huge uncertainty about every aspect of life.” It is hard to understand how this pandemic and being in isolation will affect individual people living in different circumstances.

In an attempt to share the different ways people are being affected, the article shares personal anecdotes from several different types of people from young single people, couples, older individuals, recovering addicts, parents, health care professionals, etc. It also discusses how this pandemic may lead to nearly a 33 percent increase in domestic violence cases. While the article discusses what is and may happen during the pandemic, it also discusses the after effects and a potential increase in mental health issues such as PTSD and other trauma-related mental disorders. I found this article very interesting because it chose to look at statistically how this pandemic is and will most likely affect people, but also chose to share personal stories of different people’s experiences. I think it provides an overall look at how difficult this period of time is for millions of people and what people to do to try to protect their mental health.

Post By: Bianca Bucholtz

“Early coronavirus job losses hitting minorities, women, teens particularly hard”, CNN Wire

April 4, 2020

This article describes how the forced shutdown of all nonessential businesses around the country has disproportionately impacted minorities, women, and teens in the workforce. Given that the majority of workers in nonessential industries, such as service, retail, and custodial work, are individuals from these groups, they have been particularly susceptible to unemployment caused by COVID-19. The article mentions a “service sector recession,” which has had disastrous consequences for women specifically, who make up the majority of this industry. This could potentially be dangerous, as individuals who find themselves without a source of income may be forced to rely on an abusive partner to provide economic support and maintain their standard of living, essentially trapping them in an unsafe situation. Additionally, labeling a group of workers as “nonessential” may have damaging impacts, as it could lead to increased stigmatization of people who work in these industries, such as minorities, women, and teens.

Post by: Maddie Smith

Atheists Can Now Solemnize Marriages in Michigan After State Drops Opposition

April 3, 2020

Previously only government judges or religiously ordained individuals were capable of legally performing marriages. However in a positive turn of events, Michigan now allows atheists to perform marriages legally as well. The previous perspective of marriage restriction created a severe lack of inclusivity and acceptance of the diverse nature of Michigan residence. One of the primary reasons this change took so long to occur is due to the concept of LGBTQ+ marriage. The concept follows such that even though LGBTQ+ marriage is legalized it would be diminished and subtly made improbable since ordained individuals hold the right to deny marriage for couples based on religious preference. One of the main proponents that swayed Michigan to drop the opposition was the fact that any individual could become ordained through websites for only a few dollars and after a couple of questions. This lack of ease of ordination as well as the public opinion changing pushed Michigan to perceive how ludicrous it is preventing people from legally practicing their own religious beliefs especially in related to what is seen as a major moment in a majority of people’s lives.

Post by: Jordan Whitmore

“‘There’s Always a Rainbow After the Rain.’ Challenged by Coronavirus, LGBTQ Communities Worldwide Plan Digital Pride Celebrations”, TIME

Apr 3, 2020

Building a chosen family and creating connections within the community is an important aspect of the experiences of many LGBTQ+ individuals. Members of the queer community face higher rates of homelessness and unsafe living environments than their straight peers, and recent social distancing practices have cut off access to safe spaces and chosen family for many. As it becomes clear that COVID-19 will impact gatherings and events well into the summer, Pride events across the country are being canceled, but this isn’t stopping Pride organizers from bringing the community together in this time of crisis. This TIME article discusses plans for “Global Pride”, an online 24-hour Pride event scheduled for June 27. “Global Pride” will consist of live speakers, workshops, and video footage of past Prides from all around the world.

The author also discusses the impact this may have on members of the LGBTQ+ community who are living in places where they face criminal prosecution or further legislative battles in light of COVID-19. An online “Global Pride” celebration gives these individuals access to a sense of community and acceptance that they may struggle to find in their daily lives, especially if they are isolated in a place where they are unsafe or unaccepted. Events such as Pride are a long-established tradition in the LGBTQ+ community and serve an important purpose in bringing together queer individuals in a safe and loving environment. In a time where people need access to community more than ever, this “Global Pride” event will be an important and impactful moment for LGBTQ+ people around the world.

Post by: Zoë Schultheiss

“Lessons from African Feminists Mobilizing Against COVID-19”, State of the Planet

April 3, 2020

The sole focus of many amid this COVID-19 outbreak tends to be on themselves and the health of their own communities whether that be of their family or neighborhood. However, this focus on primarily yourself during this epidemic is not as selfish as one might presume. The Peace and Social Change Fellowship, a grassroots women’s organization from various countries throughout Africa, offer up a transnational feminist perspective on three key lessons when handling a growing threat such as COVID-19. First, they describe how we need to “make visible the frontline work that women are doing to care for their communities.” Like most major historical moments, women tend to be forgotten and not honored in their impact on such events thus all women from the women working at home while caring for kids to the women doctors and nurses caring for COVID-19 patients should be made visible and respected for their contributions. Second is to “prioritize the most impacted” by offering support and information to those heavily impacted. Third and considered highly important is to “take a feminist approach to leadership — which includes self-care” since “we need to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others,” Limpho Matlakala of the Barali Foundation.

Post by: Jordan Whitmore

"Rwandan Soldiers Accused of Raping women During Lockdown", BBC News

4/3/2020

During this pandemic, most countries have imposed lockdowns. This is the same case as Rwanda, a country located in East Africa.

This article share one of the issues women are facing during this lockdown. There was a case where a soldier entered a house and brutally beat the husband and raped the woman. Although authorities really took this seriously, this article portrayed how whenever any pandemic, war or any other form of instability, the raping of women is one of the things that we always see.

Post by: Gasana Elyvine

“Does Covid-19 Hit Women and Men Differently? U.S. Isn’t Keeping Track”, New York Times

April 3, 2020

This article speaks about the need for the U.S. to breakdown COVID-19 cases by sex. Other countries like Italy and China are noticing that COVID is more deadly to males than females. However, the U.S. is the only country that is not examining the difference between men and women’s reactions to COVID. The article also mentions that women only made up 22% of drug trials between 1998 and 2000. Researchers from China recently released a paper revealing there is a large difference between men and women’s reaction to COVID. Through examining plasma from positive COVID patients, the researchers found that women have more antibodies to fight off the virus. This is very important because many countries are trying to make a vaccine. However, if the U.S. continues to not pay attention to the differences between men and women’s reactions, then any vaccine created may not be effective for both sexes. This is very dangerous for the women that are older, who are more likely to face worse cases of COVID-19, because any vaccine the U.S. is attempting to make may not help them as effectively as it helps men.

Post by: Maddy Schlossenberg

“The COVID-19 pandemic could have huge effect on women's health, says the UN”

April 2, 2020

The U.S Labor Department has reported more than 700,000 jobs were terminated in March because of the COVID-19 quarantine. More than 60% of those jobs were fulfilled by women. The pandemic has disrupted access to sexual and reproductive and gender-based violence services. This pandemic could also lead to exacerbated financial inequalities between men and women. The UNFPA is currently working to pre-position reproductive health emergency kits in more impoverished communities because they are more harshly affected by the conditions of quarantine and the virus itself.

The UN- State General has released a statement today saying “I urge governments to put women and girls at the centre of their efforts to recover from COVID-19. That starts with women as leaders, with equal representation and decision-making power”. A very impactful statement that is fueling feminist rally demands all around the world. Migrating women into positions of power will help women advocate for equal rights and the world can have a better understanding of the unique experiences of women. Women in positions of power will help equip women with the skills they need to rise to the top and press for systematic changes.

Post by: Dallas Sumrall

“Farmworkers, Mostly Undocumented, Become ‘Essential’ During Pandemic,” NYTimes

April 2, 2020

Undocumented people are often the targets of extreme racism and harassment, they have been labeled as useless and job-stealing yet this article looks at how in the current time of need they are now seen as essential. 75% of farmworkers are estimated to be undocumented most of them live in fear of deportation and are often targets of racist policies. Due to those racist policies many workers have been to leave the country leading to a work shortage and farm owners have had to turn to bring in workers via H-2A visas that shortage has only intensified at a time like now. As the risk of infection grows with COVID - 19 many workers are scared of infection but they need to make money as they do not qualify for any assistance programs, sadly infection isn’t their only fear they fear deportation as well so employers are starting to give their workers forms that label them essential workers. This is giving some a sense of security but how is it that only in a crisis they are valued when they pick our food every single day of the year? The article also questions how little employers are doing to educate a population that lacks access to information.

Post by: Tammi Cervantes

"Greece Quarantines Camp as 20 Refugees Test Positive For Covid-19", Al-Jazeera America

April 2, 2020

Refugee camps are expected to be a hotbed for Covid-19, according to this article from Al-Jazeera America. The camps often are places with poor hygeine practices and close contact, which in combination is very dangerous for the viral spread. It is important to remember that the majority of refugees are women and children, which makes the refugee crisis-and this newfound danger-a feminist issue. The first positive test at this camp was a pregnant woman who recently was in a Greek hospital.

The potential outbreak in a refugee camp also presents a unique danger due to the access to health care and treatment. It is often tricky to determine what jurisdiction refugees fall in, which can mean that they are not claimed by any jurisdiction. The human rights of the individuals can be sidelined due to bureaucracy.

Post by: Abby Jaroszewicz

“UNFPA advocates for women, girls suffering unseen impacts of COVID-19 pandemic”, UN News

April 2, 2020

This article was posted by the United Nations under UN News. This article highlights how women and girls are most vulnerable, dealing with invisible impacts that COVID-19 pandemic is causing on their population. According to the UN News, "As in most crises, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to critical sexual and reproductive health services and hampered authorities’ ability to respond to gender-based violence, at a time when women and girls need these services most." The United Nation Population Fund (UNPFA) has prioritized women and girls who are often the most vulnerable during crisis. As the world struggles to get a grasp on the pandemic there are ripple effects within populations, such as pregnant women who are too afraid to go to clinics or women trapped in abusive households due to global quarantines. It was also noted that being able to social distance is a privilege and it is not an option for the millions in refugee camps. The UNPFA has been working on supporting healthcare workers providing them with personal protection equipment. The Executive Director of the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, Dr Natalia Kanem, believes there is more work that needs to be done so women's/girl's most intimate needs are seen as essential and met during the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

"This global scourge requires a global response."- Dr. Kanem, 2020.

Post by: Ari Pittenger

"Don't Nag Your Husband During Lockdown, Malaysia's Government Advises Women", NPR

April 1, 2020

A writer from NPR news writes this article to raise awareness to how women are being treated during this pandemic. Since all individuals have been ordered to work from home, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, that means that women also have to work home. In Malaysia, they posted a poster that told women to essentially leave their husbands alone and to look nice around the home. Although "Malaysia has the largest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia with more than 2,900 and counting" (Sullivan 2020), they are more worried about the way women are making their husbands feel when they are working. This discrimination against women seen in this poster is continously promoting the inequality among genders in this country, which I hope does not lead to more domestic violence.

Post by: Kaylee

"Doctors can't use COVID-19 antibodies from gay men or anyone taking PrEP", NBC News

April 1, 2020

Although this article mainly highlights how blood donation regulations put in place by the Food and Drug Administration impact gay men, it is important to note that these regulations also affect many other members of the LGBTQ+ community, such as transgender women, and lead to further stigmatization of these individuals at the societal level. The article describes how these antiquated and homophobic FDA policies don’t allow any individual that is currently taking PrEP (an HIV preventative medicine) to donate blood that may contain COVID-19 antibodies unless they have abstained from sex for the last 12 months. This guideline effectively restricts gay and bisexual men, transgender individuals, and many other people from donating their blood during this time of dire need out of an irrational fear that doing so will increase the prevalence of HIV. Keeping these policies in place clearly demonstrates the stigmatization of the LGBTQ+ community in our society and will drastically decrease the possibility of finding a cure for COVID-19 within the near future.

Post by: Maddie Smith

Feminism and the Coronavirus: A Debate on Leadership in Times of Crisis, Daily News

April 1, 2020

It’s no surprise that women are still experiencing inequalities in their quarantined households during this pandemic. Women are one of the groups most exposed to the coronavirus, especially because they take up a large percentage in healthcare work and housework. They are the ones who are still expected to do the grocery shopping, cleaning, and taking care of their sick children while their husbands aren't. According to The Atlantic, women across the world, including those with jobs do more housework and have less leisure time than their male partners. There are even memes surfacing social media about panic-buying acknowledging that household tasks such as grocery shopping are primarily shouldered by women. Women are the ones who keep the frontlines at home, with fewer wage benefits and a higher risk of unemployment yet they are still the ones who are getting jokes made out of them.

Post by: Megan S

"Covid-19 Social Distancing Scoreboard ," Uncast

April 1, 2020

This is an article and study done by Uncast that analyzes and grades how well every county in every state is handling and participating in social distancing during Covid-19. While this is more of a study than an article, I found it interesting how individual states and their governors are dealing with the pandemic and how the county as a whole compares to the world around us.

According to this study, Michigan is given an A- for social distancing. While there are currently over 9000 cases in Michigan, there has been an almost 70 percent decrease in both mobility (distance traveled) and non-essential visiting. This is not entirely surprising considering how fast Governor Gretchen Whitmer responded to the growing virus and the lengths she has gone to in order to prevent further spreading. Michigan’s rating comes in stark contrast to the overall country's score of a C. According to this date, with over 200,000 cases in the U.S. the country has only decreased mobility by 40 percent and decreased non-essential visiting by 60 percent. This could be due in part to the lack of a national stay-at-home order similar to the ones in states like Michigan or New York, the current epicenter of the virus. In looking at this study, I found it interesting how little change has been made in the country as a whole even with such a growth in the number of cases. While our president has not been shy to point fingers at governors like Whitmer (MI) or Cuomo (NY), he should spend more time trying to understand the ways he can replicate what those governors have been doing to prevent spreading and more deaths.

Post by: Bianca Bucholtz

"This Pandemic Is Not Your Vacation", Buzzfeednews

March 31, 2020

The spread of COVID-19 is something many fear - and those fearing it are mostly those who will be left unable to be tested, seek treatment, or live following their contraction of the virus. Travel, even following orders to stay home, remained common among the wealthy as many traveled to vacation homes for either part or the duration of their quarantine, bringing along with them any infectious disease they may have had at home. The article explains how outbreaks are occurring and worsening due to this travel and how the many essential workers in rural areas have been put at greater risk due to those wealthy few who have chosen to travel instead of doing what has been asked. The article also discusses how the loose guidelines given by government officials may not be enough, as many continue to travel and physically socialize despite the advice given, not caring that the consequences of their actions may be many for those living in these small towns.

Post by: Madison Totty

“Kids in foster care? Coronavirus prompts courts to halt family visits, dealing harsh blow" , USA Today Network

March 31, 2020

This article was written by Suzanne Hurt. Within the article Hurt discusses the suspension of in-person visitations of foster children by some states. Cases where biological parents are fighting for custody and are allowed visitation, are being affected drastically. Within the article, Hurt discussed that visitations going online, however, it is not the same as in-person visits. Some states have left the decision of visitations up to the biological parents and foster parents. However, foster parents are concerned that possible infections could spread throughout their household. Most foster homes hold multiple children, some with immunodeficiencies, causing any case of COVID-19 to spread throughout the entire family.

The inability to have contact with their children has caused biological parents to feel concerned of possible irreplaceable damage to their bond with their children. Furthermore, “More than a quarter of parents with child welfare cases were referred because of substance misuse, Erickson-Anderson said, and foster families worry the stress of the coronavirus crisis could push parents back into old habits,” (Hurt, 2020). Foster parents have a right to be concerned, because if they relapse it will cause their case to be dropped. This will prevent biological parents from gaining future custody of their children.

Post by: Maddy Schlossenberg

"University of Michigan report: COVID-19 causing conflict between parents, children", WXYZ, ABC Detroit

March 31, 2020

As social distancing and isolation set in, so do frustrations, unfortunately children are feeling the effects of this frustration from parents. The University of Michigan conducted a brief survey of 562 adults starting on March 24, 2020. The results are highlighted in this article; parents state that their levels of yelling and spanking their children has increased amidst COVID-19 social distancing and isolation orders; these numbers are suspected to increase in the coming months.

Socio-economic status, growing unemployment, one or two parent households, access to safe daycare, and healthcare are just some of these frustrations that are factors in parenting during this crisis. It is important to note that family roles will shift and may cause conflict if these children live in two parent households and those two parents are now home. For example with the breadwinner/housewife dichotomy or equal earners dichotomy; with both parents staying at home, parenting time, duties, and roles will drastically shift in both positive and negative ways. Patriarchy plays a role in this dynamic as more fathers/male figures are now home and may want/expect more control of the household than they would have previously. Some parents may take on more hands-on roles than they had previously to COVID-19. These hands-on roles may be good (positively engaging with their children) or negative (strict and/or more lax disciplinary roles); the shift in these roles will cause conflict if it is different from that of their partner. It will be interesting to read and learn about the longitudinal effects of COVID-19 as it relates to the family dynamic.

Post by: Brandy

"'They don't care:' Families Of The Incarcerated Fear The Worst As Coronavirus Spreads", The Marshall Project

March 31, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic affects the population worldwide, the mental and physical health of imprisoned women is neglected. In-person visits have been, understandably, suspended for the protection of all involved. Families of imprisoned women are panicking. They are left in the dark as to whether or not their loved ones are receiving medical care. Prisons are not providing working women, who interact with those on the outside, with protective gear. There has been no plan announced to the public as to how these facilities plan to prevent the invasion of the coronavirus from entering their prisons.

Despite the circumstances, some advocations for prisoner rights have been addressed. Inmates at federal prisons have been gifted with 200 extra, free minutes each month to speak to their loved ones on the phone. Worried families on the outside await the release of information regarding the protection and care of those incarcerated from this potentially fatal virus.

Post by: Megan

“Whitmer to end Michigan school year due to coronavirus; seniors graduate, others move up” , Bridge Magazine

March 31, 2020

This article outlines Gov. Whitmer's plan to end the school year for K-12 students, allowing seniors to graduate and all other students to move forward in their education without penalty. Though this is obviously a smart decision on the basis of public health, it poses concerns for low-income families who may rely on schools for food and free childcare (especially if the mother works at an essential job). Single mothers will be disproportionately affected because they will have to find resources for food for their children, which can lead them to lose their jobs, especially during a time where these essential jobs will need all hands on deck.

Also, if families include an older female sibling with a younger sibling, she may have to step in to babysit while their parents are at work. Since women are usually seen as the caregivers, the daughter will have to focus on caring for her younger siblings instead of completing school work. Though she is guaranteed to move forward, assuming she was already on the path to advancing, she will miss out on important learning during the end of the school year, extending her summer and increasing her opportunity to forget important information. This just puts her more behind than she already is by being a female student.

Post by: SaMya Overall

“Trump’s Virus Defense Is Often an Attack, and the Target Is Often a Woman”, New York Times

March 30th, 2020

One of the most frustrating things so far about how COVID-19 is being handled by the current administration is how Trump has treated women. This article points out how Trump often targets others, especially women, when they upset him. Earlier this week, he called out our governor, Gretchen Whitmer, during an interview with Fox News. Trump said they’ve had problems with “the young, a woman governor,” purposely omitting her name. Days later on a COVID-19 briefing, he mentioned that he told Pence not to call “the woman in Michigan,” again refusing to call her by her name. Not only is it dangerous to ignore the governor of a state with one of the fastest developing hot-spots (Wayne County), it’s misogynistic. The article brings up another instance of Trump lashing out at women, this time PBS correspondent Yamiche Alcindor being the target. He told her to “Be nice. Don’t be threatening…” after she asked him to defend statements he had previously made.

He has gone on and on about not getting the respect he thinks he deserves from governors during this time, but why would they respect him when all he does is criticize or mock them? By making things about him and his administration's accomplishments during a global pandemic, he takes the focus away from those who are struggling to survive and desperately need the government's help.

Post by: Katie Martin

"'That governor is me': Gretchen Whitmer takes on Trump as coronavirus cases rise in Michigan" , CNN News

March 29, 2020

This article outlines the recent attacks on Gretchen Whitmer from Donald Trump and her response as she struggles to obtain the necessary resources to help the state of Michigan fight against this pandemic. I am not shocked that Donald Trump is attacking our governor as she is a respectable political figure who stands up for what she believes in, but what does surprise me is that he is allowed to block the necessary shipments of medical supplies that we are desperately in need of. All politics aside, people are literally dying and need help, and his ego is getting in the way of saving lives. I am incredibly disappointed that there is no system in place to stop these injustices from happening.

Post by: Aidan Winters

“Lockdowns around the world bring rise in domestic violence” The Guardian

March 28, 2020

As the world has gone into quarantine, due to the unforeseen circumstances COVID-19 has brought to the human race, domestic violence rates have dramatically increased. In this article, it is stated that 90% of domestic violence cases reported are linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly hotline calls, texts, and emails have also increased 20%-30% all due to the virus. Mid last month Spain reported their first domestic violence fatality since the lock down had begun, a woman was murdered by her husband in the presence of their children. The article also talks about how COVID-19 is a mass problem but it is especially difficult for women and children because they cannot escape their homes. This quarantine has taken a toll on all people of the world and trying times have called for trying measures. Staying healthy and most importantly safe will not only protect you, but protect other families around you helping end this quarantine as quickly as it came.

Post by: Dallas Sumrall

“A likely but hidden coronavirus risk factor: Pollution”, Center for Public Integrity

March 27th, 2020

The following article was published by the Center for Public Integrity, in which it discusses how pollution impacts individuals health and has created a risk factor in connection to the covid-19 pandemic. The document discusses the impact pollutants have on people's health and specifically how air pollutants lowers one's ability to fight off infections. It claims that America’s highly polluted areas will be greatly impacted as those whose health is negatively affected will see worsened reactions to viruses. The document highlights how air quality disparities mean some Americans, disproportionately people of color and residents with less income, breathe worse air than others. As we discussed in class oftentimes the connection between the women’s movement and the environmental movement are not recognized. However, this article addresses the factors that leave people of color and those impoverished more environmentally vulnerable. With the covid-19 spreading quickly it is important that vulnerable communities are not forgotten as they have tragically often been left behind.

Post by: Devonshire McDonald

“Single parents struggle to home-school and work as their support systems disappear”, Washington Post

March 27, 2020

What will happen to my children if I become sick, where would they go, who will take care of them? Do I have a job today? How am I going to feed my children today? Where can I find an open daycare for my kid/s? How am I going to pay my bills? Where will we live in the next month, the following, and so on? These are questions that single parents ask themselves every day, now even more so in the era of COVID-19.

This article highlights single parents who are especially impacted by COVID-19. From the first responders who are required to work such as Taniqua James, who worries about if her daycare is going to close every day she picks up her son. To Passion Farrell a waitress who was laid off. Now struggling to feed her children, taking two buses (and potentially exposing her children to COVID-19 on a daily basis) just to access food her children would have received during school. These are just a few stories/aspects of being single parents highlighted in this article.

When one thinks about these questions and the burdens COVID-19 puts on single parents there is no denying that not all single parents will have the same struggles. These struggles are impacted heavily by socio-economic status (class), race, gender, and the many other intersectional layers that single parents identify themselves as.

“About 1 in 4 children across the country lives in a single-parent household, a share that has more than doubled since 1970, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. More than 80 percent of those children, nearly 16 million, live in a household headed by a woman.”

Post by: Brandy

“Coronavirus Shows Care Work Isn’t Just For Disabled Communities Anymore,” Bitch Media

March 26, 2020

This article is about the effort made by communities and organizations, who are able bodied, to help all of those in need of assistance, disabled or not, during this time of isolation and quarantine and questions whether or not that help will still be in place once the shelter in place order has been lifted. The article brings to light the fact that disabled people have been used to self isolation or being extremely vulnerable to illness and other diseases, and have truly always needed the extra help and awareness. The article calls out to those who are not within this community to remember them and their circumstances once the shelter in place order is lifted, as they will continue to need this extra support.

Post by: Gabrielle White

“The Coronavirus Becomes an Excuse to Restrict Abortions,” The New York Times

March 26, 2020

This article exposes the people using COVID - 19 as an excuse to further the political cause of not providing abortions to women. On March 4th, Texas and Ohio officially banned abortions during the time and listed abortions as “unnecessary medical procedures.” Essentially, this means that abortions are considered “elective” surgeries and have been postponed until after quarantine. However, Emily Bazelon, author of this article, argues that women cannot simply postpone their pregnancies, so this bill (still awaiting to be signed) takes away a woman’s right to choose because by the time quarantine is over, many women will either have already given birth or will pass the time limitations.

Many pro-choice politicians argue that by postponing abortions, the clinics and hospitals will have more room for people infected with COVID- 19. However, many public health officials and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists disagree and argue that it’s “an essential component of comprehensive health care.” Also, by sectioning off rooms and using the N-95 masks that all medical personnel are provided with, abortions can be provided safely and effectively. Also, follow up appointments can be administered through zoom or any online platform. In short, there is no reason to postpone abortions.

Pro-choice politicians are evidently going against medical advice and have even threatened to “take action” against doctors who provide their patients with abortions. Although, the pro- choice politicians haven’t clarified what “take action” means, this is forcing many women and doctors to travel out of state in order to provide and receive proper medical care. Sadly, this attack on women’s rights affects low income women the most since they don’t have the financial means to travel out of state and pay for an abortion. Not to mention, traveling not recommended during this time due to the risk of contracting COVID- 19.

COVID-19 is already a source of anxiety, but with women’s rights under attack, the stress and anxiety for women and parents is at an all time high.

Post by: Rhea Dhar

“Coronavirus: Trump cabinet’s pastor blames gay people for ‘wrath of God’’, The Independent

March 26, 2020

Throughout the course of history, major historical events have been used to push political ideology and force perspectives on public opinions. This is no different during the current COVID-19 outbreak in which the Independent news details how the pastor for a majority of Trump’s cabinet members, Ralph Drollinger, attributes the current epidemic on divine wraith due to the legalization of LGBTQ+ marriage and public acceptance of same-sex lifestyles. This is extremely problematic since there are currently more evangelical believers in congress and the executive branch than in any other time in modern American history. This is indicative of a much larger influence of religious leaders on the current political climate. This could result in a change of opinion towards LGBTQ+ rights in America undoing the years of LGBTQ+ and feminist movements fighting for the equal rights of all people regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation and other such identities. The use of a public epidemic to turn an entire community into a scapegoat for a situation that occurred due to natural causes can cause extensive harm and stigma towards all people. Not only does it result in aggression and blame towards those in the LGBTQ+ community but it diminishes the severity and focus of the current predicament by depicting it as “Gods wraith” rather than a naturally occurring phenomenon that can be slowed and stopped by obeying the health and safety recommendations from the CDC.

Post by: Jordan Whitmore

"COVID-19: A Black, Queer. Feminist Grounding and Call for Self and Community Care", Ms. Magazine

March 25, 2020

This article, published by Ms. Magazine , addresses that although COVID-19 does not discriminate based on gender, race, class sexuality, or any other identity markers, access to healthcare does. The author of this article makes the point that marginalized communities may be more susceptible to this virus due to many of the oppressive institutions in place in the United States. Marginalized communities have long histories of their own, fighting and making it through this pandemic is possible and will add to their strength.

Post By:Zoe Kernohan

“Why COVID-19 Response Efforts Need to Consider That Pandemics Hit Women and Girls the Hardest”, Global Citizen

March 25, 2020

Women and girls are disproportionately at risk for domestic violence, financial insecurity and much more. With the COVID-19 virus spreading rapidly, women, who make up 70% of the health and social service workforce, are on the frontlines of the response effort to treat and stop the spread of the virus. Now that schools are closed, this leaves mothers forced to balance both childcare and either working from home. These responsibilities are an addition to the disproportionate amount of domestic labor women already do. There are organizations that are dedicated to women’s health that are urging many people to consider gender when it comes to the coronavirus relief efforts. UN Women are not only looking at different rates of infection but economic impacts as well. A representative from UN Women stated, “It's really important that the world's focus on gender inequalities does not become yet another victim of COVID-19.” When pandemics this massive emerge, it can make it difficult for women and girls to receive treatment and health care.

Post by: Nekiya Davis

“Nursing Homes Are Ground Zero for COVID-19 Pandemic”, JAMA Health Forum

March 24, 2020

This article addresses how nursing homes are extremely affected by COVID-19. Nursing homes are already prone to infection outbreaks, according to the CDC 80% of norovirus happen in long-term care facilities. Nursing homes are prone to outbreaks for many reasons, one main example listed in the article is due to the majority of residents being elderly who have chronic illnesses making them more susceptible to diseases. 58% of women 65 years old or older will be in a nursing home at some point in their life. Not protecting nursing homes from disease outbreaks puts the elderly at risk, especially, women who tend to live longer than men.

Additionally, the majority of caregivers employed at nursing homes are women. These caregivers are on the front lines, caring for one of the most vulnerable populations at risk for COVID-19. However, these caregivers often do not have adequate sick leave that allows them to stay home when sick. These workers deserve proper protection, not only for themselves but the people they help.

Post by: Olivia

"For Abused Women, a Pandemic Lockdown Holds Dangers of Its Own", New York Times

March 24, 2020

This article uses examples to show the heightened risks women face from their abusers during the current lockdown. With the continuously changing rules and regulations, social workers are unable to help these women in a timely fashion. Many other resources have started shutting down. For example, walk-in counseling, support groups, and shelters are at maximum capacity in certain areas.

These changes have caused a ripple effect through this group of women, and their social workers. Women are feeling trapped because they have no reason to leave on a daily basis; school and work places are closed, non-essential trips are cancelled, and everyone has to stay indoors. These women’s means of escape are now gone, and they have no way out besides social workers. However, social workers are trying to work among the new guidelines that the government has put in place, causing the women to stay in harm's way longer.

Post by: Maddy Schlossenberg

"Texas Has Banned Abortions During the Coronavirus Outbreak", BuzzfeedNews

March 23, 2020

This article from BuzzfeedNews explains how and why Texas is halting all abortions through April 21, citing COVID-19 as the reason. In order to ease the strain on hospitals and health practitioners in the midst of managing the pandemic, the governor of Texas has order that all "non-essential" medical procedures be cancelled or postponed. The governor specified that abortions do not qualify as essential, even though the procedures are time-sensitive and can be medically necessary. Any medical worker in Texas who continues to perform abortions can be fined $1000 or face 180 days in jail. It seems like Texas is simply using this pandemic as an excuse to further its anti-abortion agenda, neglecting actual human lives in favor of those not yet born.

Post by: Abby Jaroszewicz

“Pregnant women share what it's like to be expecting during Coronavirus Pandemic,” NewYorkPost

March 23, 2020

As the Coronavirus hits our healthcare system and clogs up our hospitals, pregnant women are being seriously affected by the pandemic. This article provides real life accounts of expecting mothers who are fearful of giving birth in the midst of the pandemic. These women share their concerns and heartbreaks; everything from going through labor and delivery all alone because their partners cannot join them in the delivery room and family cannot come visit, to being scared of using public transportation to get to the hospital because they might contract the virus. On top of that, there is a shortage of doctors and nurses and essential medical supplies. Almost every sentence of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s information on COVID-19 and pregnancy starts with “we do not know.” What we do know is that the virus attacks the Respiratory System. During labor and delivery, a woman's heart rate and breathing patterns will change frequently and rapidly. Because of this, pregnant women are more susceptible to the virus (since they must go to a hospital where there are lots of Coronavirus infected people). If labor and delivery wasn't already scary enough, now expecting women must do it alone.

Post by: Audrey Bakos

"The LGBTQ Community is at Risk Amidst COVID-19 Crisis", Human Rights Campaign

March 20, 2020

This is a brief excerpt and link to the Human Rights Campaign’s issue brief on how COVID-19 is being mishandled among the LGBTQ+ community. It discusses the impact the community will face as a result of working in fields where exposure is less avoidable such as food service or healthcare and education. It also discusses how the government is failing to recognize that the community may be facing their own unique challenges during this time, and that the unique challenges that the community already faces, such as increased rates of poverty and homelessness, may be worsening their conditions or increasing their risk of contracting the virus.

Post by: Madison Totty

"Coronavirus is a 'personal nightmare' for people with OCD and anxiety disorders", NBC News

March 20, 2020

This article discusses the disastrous relationship between anxiety disorders and the increasing threat imposed by COVID-19. Addressing the “chaos” caused by the uncertainty associated with the virus, the article notes that there has been a drastic increase in the usage of crisis lines related to anxiety disorders and a large influx of scheduled counseling appointments since the Coronavirus pandemic began. In general, anxiety disorders disproportionately affect women, and thus, women are more likely to have their mental health negatively impacted by the spread of COVID-19. This is significant because, as demonstrated by the many personal accounts of the individuals in this article, anxiety disorders and OCD may have drastic impacts on one’s life and leave them unable to cope with the loss of a job or the uncertainty of what will happen next. Additionally, our society greatly stigmatizes mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders, which may deter these individuals from reaching out for help in a time of great need.

Post by: Maddie Smith

“Human Rights Dimensions of COVID-19 Response”, Human Rights Watch

March 19, 2020

The following article was published by the Human Rights Watch in response to the covid-19 pandemic and the possible restrictions that might be seen on certain rights. Along with this, the document draws on examples of government responses to date, and recommends ways governments and other individuals can respect human rights in their response. One specific section of the document addresses the disproportionate impacts on women and girls, which specifically relates to intersectional feminism by bringing up issues on reproductive health, women's labor, domestic violence, etc.

Post by: Devonshire McDonald

“As Hospitals Prepare for COVID-19, Life-Saving Trans Surgeries Are Delayed” Vice

March 19, 2020

The author discusses how gender reassignment surgeries are being postponed due to Coronavirus. Many transgender individuals have increased levels of distress and anxiety due to the postponement. While the postponement of surgery is to protect doctors and patients alike, this is an issue I have not seen reported by any mainstream news services. It important that this is known because people of all genders or non-binary individuals are facing unique challenges during this time.

Posted by: Eleanor Smith

"As Cities Around the World Go on Lockdown, Victims of Domestic Violence Look for a Way Out," TIME.com

March 18, 2020

One out of three women in the world experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. It is the most widespread but least reported human rights abuses according to the World Health Organization. During a world crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic that we are currently undergoing, many women are being forced to be in lockdown with their abusers. In fact, in China, the number of domestic violence cases reported to the local police tripled in February compared to the previous year and activists are saying that it is a result of the enforced lockdown. These lockdowns are trapping women inside a house with their abusers, which at the same time is isolating them from people and resources that can help them. Most of the abusers are threatening to throw these women out on the streets if they get sick. This ties into feminism because again women are depending on men and cannot leave them, especially during a pandemic and if they have children.

Post by: Megan S

“LGBTQ community may be 'particularly vulnerable' to coronavirus pandemic. Here's why.”, USA Today

March 18, 2020

A variety of factors make members of the LGBTQ+ community more susceptible to health hazards, but it is arguable that none are more impactful than the discomfort and discrimination that face LGBTQ+ individuals attempting to access healthcare. Members of the LGBTQ+ community face a severe lack of understanding and significant judgment from medical practitioners, that is if the doctor doesn’t just flat-out deny them service. While this has always been an issue that members of the queer community face, it is on that was significantly exasperated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In addition to the severe discrimination of LGBTQ+ by the healthcare community in that period, HIV continues to be the only STI you can face legal repercussions for having: those with an HIV+ status who engage in sexual activities without disclosing their status to partners can face legal prosecution, even if they were unaware of their status or can no longer transmit HIV due to their undetectable status. Given this history, is it unreasonable to believe that LGBTQ+ individuals may not trust the healthcare system to advocate for them amidst another health crisis?

Post by: Zoë Schultheiss

"Women's domestic burden just got heavier with the coronavirus", The Guardian

March 16, 2020

This article discusses the implications that COVID-19 carries for women who must stay at home with their families as more and more states begin to enforce lock-downs and shelter in place orders. The article provides real-life accounts of mothers who have now had to take on the role of full-time teacher, childcare worker, and housekeeper, in addition to any at-home work responsibilities they are expected to complete during this pandemic. This is typical of a patriarchal society, in which a woman in a heterosexual relationship is expected to take on the responsibilities of maintaining the home and caring for the other family members. It seems that, even in times of unprecedented crisis and vast uncertainty, this remains true, and women are still expected to prioritize the needs of others rather than focus on their own, as demonstrated by this article.

Post by: Maddie Smith

“COVID-19: the gendered impacts of the outbreak”, The Lancet

March 6, 2020

This article outlines potential gendered effects of COVID-19, by examining the effects that other diseases had. The article discussed how during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, women were more likely to be infected due to gender roles, and the stereotype of women being caregivers. Additionally, the article discussed how women are underrepresented public health positions such as the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

I thought this article did a great job of outlining the concept of invisible women living in a world designed for men. Even during a pandemic things are not equal. The system does not stop being patriarchal in times of crisis. In times of crisis, holes in the system are brought to light and I think this article demonstrates how women are systematically ignored in a world designed for men.

Post by: Olivia