Vivemos uma pandemia global sem precedentes em nossa geração. São tempos difíceis para os trabalhadores da Saúde. Estamos todos sob a mesma tempestade e participamos do mesmo esforço coletivo contra a COVID-19. Mas não estamos no mesmo barco. A desigualdade determina a forma como cada categoria de trabalhadores da Saúde é atingida pelo novo coronavírus no Brasil. Expostos ao contágio na linha de frente do combate ao novo coronavírus, os técnicos e auxiliares sentem, de forma desproporcional e alarmante, os efeitos da pandemia. São mais de 1,3 milhão de técnicos e quase 420 mil auxiliares de Enfermagem, que realizam cuidados essenciais em unidades de Saúde e não contam com a retaguarda assistencial e financeira para mitigar os efeitos da COVID-19 sobre si e seus familiares. Oito em cada dez destes profissionais são mulheres, que além de serem provedoras também assumem, na maioria das vezes, o papel de cuidadoras primárias de crianças, idosos e enfermos em suas famílias. Os baixos salários dificultam o acesso a alternativas mais seguras de transporte e cuidado para seus dependentes. É esta a realidade da maioria dos profissionais que mantêm o sistema de Saúde funcionando, em plena pandemia.
Palavras-chave:
pandemia, COVID-19, desigualdades, saúde
Abstract:
We live a global pandemic unprecedented in our generation. These are difficult times for healthcare workers. We are all in the same storm and join the same collective effort against COVID-19. However, we are not in the same boat. Inequality determines how each category of the health workforce is affected by the new coronavirus in Brazil. Exposed to the disease on the front lines, nursing technicians and assistants suffer disproportionately the dire effects of the pandemic. There are more than 1.3 million technicians and almost 420 thousand nursing assistants, who perform essential care in health units and do not have the insurance and financial backing to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on themselves and their families. Eight out of ten of these professionals are women, who in addition to being providers also assume, in most cases, the role of primary caregivers for children, the elderly and the sick in their families. Low wages make it difficult to access safer alternatives of transportation and care for dependentes. This is the reality of most professionals who keep the health system running throughout the pandemic.
We live a global pandemic unprecedented in our generation. These are difficult times for healthcare workers. We are all in the same storm and join the same collective effort against COVID-19. However, we are not in the same boat. Inequality determines how each category of the health workforce is affected by the new coronavirus in Brazil. Exposed to the disease on the front lines, nursing technicians and assistants suffer disproportionately the dire effects of the pandemic. There are more than 1.3 million technicians and almost 420 thousand nursing assistants, who perform essential care in health units and do not have the insurance and financial backing to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on themselves and their families. Eight out of ten of these professionals are women, who in addition to being providers also assume, in most cases, the role of primary caregivers for children, the elderly and the sick in their families. Low wages make it difficult to access safer alternatives of transportation and care for dependentes. This is the reality of most professionals who keep the health system running throughout the pandemic.
