Strategies focused on the problem (pandemic) and on the guidelines passed on by the authorities. |
“I’ve been trying to respect the recommendations, trying to wash, trying to keep the distance, sending videos to clients, but it’s complicated, because two of them wanted to see it in person and it was without a mask” (SW 03). “I was closer to my children during the quarantine, it was good on the one hand, because they are everything to me and the fact that I want the best for them, I never lost hope that the pandemic would pass” (SW 19). “The quarantine was difficult, I found myself desperate, without income. Being with my children, feeling their love helped me to be patient and know that everything passes, we lived one day at a time following the mayor’s orders” (SW 26). |
Strategies focused on reframing and regulating emotions and changing the meanings of the pandemic. |
“Facing this pandemic situation is complicated; I try not to have negative feelings about the new coronavirus, to think positively that everything will pass, that the vaccine will arrive” (SW 02). “I try not to think about the fear that covid is causing, I try to think that in the near future there will be a vaccine. But it is so difficult to see my children in need, but when I see that there are some people helping, it gives me hope” (SW 11). “I never was of the type that does physical activity, but I started taking walks in the fields where I live, to distract my mind and not keep thinking nonsense and try to improve the preoccupation, the sadness and the fear” (SW 24). |
Search for religious practices, religiosity and spirituality. |
“My gosh, because of the pandemic I started to take more care of my inner side, think about God, think about good things and have faith that everything will pass. It is the best way to have mental health and not think nonsense” (SW 01). “We have to trust and believe, right? Have faith, we always pray here at home, I gather my children, we listen to the religious services on the cell phone and pray to God, he knows what is best and will get me out of this situation. It’s not because I’m a bitch that he’s going to abandon me, when I cry out he helps me and sends someone to help” (SW 08). “Well, I do some sympathies to attract some men from the neighborhood, that even helps. We can’t lose faith, I believe a lot in the forces of nature, I’m from Oxum, and she helps me a lot, she’s the one who keeps my mind thinking about good things and look, she hasn’t abandoned me at any time” (SW 17). |
Support network and social support. |
“My gosh, I always consult with the psychologist, now in the pandemic it’s online. I do a sexual program, but I don’t feel well, I live with my mother and my father lives in another city. The little money he sends I pay the psychologist” (SW 05). “Having my kids with me, thinking about them and their love is important because it keeps me hopeful even if things get tough. Their love makes me believe that everything will pass” (SW 18). “There are some churches that are delivering basic food parcel, mask, alcohol gel. Even though there are some people who know how we work, they still deliver these things to us. This is good because it gives hope and takes away some of the anguish” (SW 20). “Our women’s collective is so important. It’s for each other; we help each other, go after donations, masks, hygiene products. With the return of the fair, the presence of clients for better a little, but the women’s collective remains active” (SW 30). |
Use of controlled substances and medications. |
“I take a natural tranquilizer; I drink tea to stay calm. I also get sleeping pills. I don’t make appointments, but we always get these drugs with a black stripe” (SW 02). “I use controlled medication, it helps me a lot to sleep; even more now in the pandemic, I took even more, to get rid of anxiety for fear of the future. Imagine there, no customer and no money?” (SW 05). “I drink a lot to face life and clients, but during the quarantine, without a client I drank more, I stopped eating to drink. Also because I had little food and left it for my children” (SW 15). “My gosh, I’ve never drunk as much as I do now during this period, there are nights I drink and take the medication, but what am I going to do? I prefer sleeping at night than being anxious thinking bad things” (SW 28). |