How the coronavirus disproportionately impacts women—plus, everything you missed at Ms. this week.
Ms. Weekly Digest | March 14, 2020
Letter from an Editor
The coronavirus pandemic and the response by federal, state and local authorities is fast-moving. During this time, the Ms. team is staying focused on aspects of the crisis not often reported by mainstream media—critically, how this virus disproportionately impacts women.
Women are on the frontlines of this outbreak. The majority of nurses, flight attendants, teachers, domestic workers and service industry workers are women. And, in homes around the country and the world, women most often carry the additional responsibility of care-taking duties, so when family members become ill or children’s schools close, women are the ones who must find solutions.
Many of us that are able have begun stocking up on food and other essentials. But what if you don’t have enough money to feed your family in the first place, let alone if you are forced to stay home without pay due to illness?
Keep in mind that only 30% of the lowest-paid workers in the U.S. have paid sick leave (compared to 93% of the highest paid workers), and the majority of these are women. This means that many will go without pay if they can’t show up at work, but will be putting themselves and their communities at greater risk if they continue to work while sick. How can we come together to best support low-income workers during this time of national emergency?
We’ve asked experts to respond to some of the questions I’ve raised above. What’s clear is that the Trump administration’s and Senate Republicans’ mishandling of this crisis has increased the danger to us all. For now, let's do what we can to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. Stay updated on the situation in your community by consulting your local public health authorities. Practice social distancing. Follow recommend hygiene practices. Keep in mind that your choices during this outbreak will affect not just you, but the most vulnerable among us. Ms. will continue to keep you updated.
P.S. If you find our coronavirus coverage helpful, please consider supporting our independent reporting and truth-telling for as little as $5 per month.
This Week's Must-Reads from Ms.
Coronavirus, Women and Hunger—An Overlooked Intersection
BY ABBY J. LEIBMAN AND LIZA LIEBERMAN | Many of us are stunned by the coronavirus outbreak, and stocking up on food and other necessities. But what if you don’t have enough money to feed your family in the first place?
BY ROXY SZAL | In the U.S., 93 percent of the highest paid workers have access to paid sick days. Only 30 percent of the lowest-paid workers have this critical protection.
The Coronavirus Doesn’t Need a Visa: COVID-19’s Effect on Immigrant Populations
BY MAHSA KHANBABAI | The coronavirus will particularly impact some of our most vulnerable communities, like the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Add to this list: immigrants, both documented and undocumented.
BY ROXY SZAL | Nurses, flight attendants, teachers, domestic workers and service industry workers—the vast majority of whom are women—are on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak.
March 2020 Reads for the Rest of Us
BY KARLA STRAND | As more of us begin working from home and practicing social distancing, we thought it might be a good time to share a few of the books the Ms. team is excited to read this month.
BY CYNTHIA RICHIE TERRELL | Our friend, Cynthia Terrell, founder and executive director of RepresentWomen, is back with the second installment of her new weekly column! Each week, she'll be compiling some of her favorite stories about women’s representation in politics, on boards, in sports and entertainment, in judicial offices and in the private sector in the U.S. and around the world.
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