Women in the Science Field Who Are Making a Difference During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic as we know it has been an experience unlike any other. As people, we’ve wept, been in frustration, confusion, and had to adjust to the new ways of life. But we never pay enough attention to the people who have been helping our lives get back to normal. The people who are in charge of helping the world take the next step in beating this deadly virus. Specifically women.
Many women are on the frontlines of response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are putting their lives at risk. Doctors, nurses, and scientists. Today are known as heroes. One word, innovators. As they researched vaccines and helped many patients to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, they are leading our world in safe directions.
Many women make up healthcare jobs. In fact, “women hold 76% of all health care jobs.” Since the start of the coronavirus, they were put at the frontlines when it came to taking care of patients who contracted this virus. Not only was this scary for them, but they were risking their lives. Risking themselves to get the virus from patients and possibly die from it. With many women doctors and nurses, they had to not only try to stay safe with their face masks and face shields, but they had to care for their patient’s specific needs.
Dr. Entela Kolovani, who started helping patients in Albania since the start of COVID-19 stated, “Treating patients with COVID-19 is very hard, each one with their own unique needs. We are dealing not only with the virus but also with the psychological impact it has on patients. They are totally isolated from their families and we need to stay the closest possible to them.” The women in these positions took on the roles with no hesitation. They knew that if they or their loved ones were put in this position, they would want the same care for themselves and their peers.
For example, a big part of our history is Özlem Türeci. She is a German scientist, physician, and entrepreneur. More specifically an immunologist, and cancer researcher with translational and clinical experience. In 2008, she co-founded the German biotechnology company, BioNTech. With this company, she helped developed the first approved messenger RNA-based vaccine that helps go against the COVID-19 virus. Türeci works as BioNTech’s Chief Medical Officer. She has been in that position since the year 2018. She was behind the leading vaccine to solve the COVID-19 virus and pandemic.
Also, Katalin Karikó used her skills during her work. As a biochemist and the Senior Vice President of BioNT
ech, she specializes in RNA-mediated mechanisms. Focusing on the therapeutic possibilities of mRNA. Karikó and a colleague of hers, Drew Weissman worked on a technique to make use of the synthetic mRNA to fight diseases around the world. Their work together actually helped make the basis of the COVID-19 vaccine.
One of the head scientists that is behind the United States government’s vaccine research and development is Dr. Kizmekia Corbett. As a viral immunologist and researcher, she works with a team that collaborates with the National Institutes of Health. They worked to develop one of the vaccines. This vaccine is more than 90% effective for people who receive it. This is the Moderna vaccine that has helped save millions of people around the world.
In addition, nurses have made a huge impact during COVID-19. Specifically, women who work in this field. Working together and caring for each patient are their priorities. Nurses have been on the front lines working with patients who have COVID-19. Risking their lives to care for each individual and their own specific needs.
An example of a nurse who has been working during the COVID-19 pandemic is Julianne Vivianor. As an ICU Nurse, she has been taking care of patients with the deadly disease since the pandemic first started. She has witnessed things that have been hard for her. Seeing people young and old struggle and even die from the deadly COVID-19 disease. It was hard for her to hold in her emotions that she had been bottling up since the start of the pandemic. However, she knew she had to stay professional and still be in the role she chose to do.
Personally, starting nursing school in the Fall, this is something that I have taken into consideration. I know that as a nurse, there will be many sacrifices that I will face. For myself and even others. But I am ready to take on these challenges, and with pride as many nurses do.
As a nurse during the pandemic, their work becomes more complex, and their risk rises for their own health. “I’ve already been very sick from my work exposure, and I’m heavily exposed every day that I work since I returned after being 72 hours afebrile, the new standard for healthcare workers,” said Viviano. However, she keeps moving forward and cares for her community and patients for their own individual needs. Being a nurse and acting as one no matter what is her and many others’ priorities.
Women in science have played one of the most crucial roles during this pandemic. They have not only taken care of their suffering patients but had to deal with their own emotions and the outcomes they see in patients on a day-to-day basis. Being known as heroes, especially during this pandemic. “COVID-19 Warriors,” if one would like to say. Their contributions are more powerful than they even think to this worldwide pandemic we are in. Without them, honestly, it would be hard to get anywhere from this pandemic as we know it, COVID-19.