BOSTON — One in three jobs held by women have been designated as essential, according to a New York Times analysis of federal data.
Women make up nearly nine out of 10 nurses and more than two-thirds of the workers at grocery store checkouts and fast food counters.
Some of these moms on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus spoke to Boston 25 News how their Mother’s Day celebrations will be very different this year.
Tamiko Lynch, who has two teens at home, spoke to us during her break at Boston Medical Center. A Unit Coordinator at the hospital’s emergency room, Lynch has been very busy, like most all medical workers.
“It’s given me a lot of anxiety, you know, going home every day,” said Lynch. “So many people losing their lives. So many people becoming sick. There’s nothing you can really do. I wish I could be home with my family home, but financially, I need to be at work. And they need me here."
She is also a cashier at Shaws supermarket.
“[The supermarket] is packed everyday,” said Lynch. “People are very nice, I must say. It’s definitely changed the attitudes of people being more appreciative. And I’m just glad I can be there to help them.”
Charlene Hollins is a Registered Nurse who has a four-month-old and a 7-year-old at home.
She returned from maternity leave to go back to the Brigham and Women’s emergency department to a work during the pandemic.
“I came right off maternity leave right into the COVID-19 [pandemic],” said Hollins. “I think the transition was, while it was scary, I had an infant at home and [was asking myself], ‘Can they contract this disease? How am I going to change and prevent anyone else from getting infected?’”
Catherine Burns has been an MBTA inspector for 15 years. She’s got three kids at home, ages 12 to 20.
“I don’t know if I have a plan on how I balance it,” said Burns. “I have no choice. Everyday, anything could happen so you just go with the flow. You have to balance. It’s just scary. You don’t wanna bring it home. You don’t wanna infect your children. You don’t wanna infect your parents."
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