An all-female commitment against the Coronavirus
If, in the past, the role played by women in science or - more generally - in society, was completely overshadowed by their male counterparts, today, fortunately, great strides are being made to prevent this from happening. In fact, there are many names of women who, with commitment, intelligence and, why not, a spirit of inventiveness, are providing concrete help during the current health emergency. Let's find out who they are, what they did, but, above all, we do so that their efforts are not forgotten over time.
Lupe Hernández: the one who invented the antibacterial gel
We never imagined that antibacterial gel could be on the wish list for 2020. If in recent years, in fact, we craved the latest model of shoes rather than the ticket for our idol's concert, this year we have had to review our priorities. The pandemic has meant that, within a few days, the - often ignored - sanitizing gels became a rare and precious commodity and that, in no time at all, they were sold-out. Although, then, the popularity of this product has increased considerably, how many of you can claim to know the story and especially the person behind its invention?
We need to take a step back in time and go back to 1966, when Lupe Hernández, a Latin American nurse, makes a discovery that would have significantly improved people's quality of life. Concerned about the scarce availability of soap and water for her fellow citizens, especially doctors and nurses, Lupe, at the time still a student in Bakersfield, California, soon realizes that an alcohol-based gel could offer the ultimate solution to the problem. . The girl, in fact, after a period of research and experimentation, discovers that a substance containing between 60 and 65% alcohol would have been able to eliminate 99.9% of germs in just 30 seconds, without the use of Soap and water. That way, it would have been much easier to protect yourself from disease and maintain a high standard of sanitation. One day, while Lupe is absent-mindedly watching television, her attention is immediately captured by an advertisement. commercial, a telephone number appears superimposed, calling which it was possible to patent your invention. The nurse does not hesitate a second to call and those in charge soon realize the beneficial effect that a similar product would have brought to people's lives. Lupe's disinfectant gel then became the commercial success for good that we cannot do without today.
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The Afghan students who created a fan using the parts of a Toyota Corolla
Somaya Faruqi, Ellaham Mansori, Nahid Rahimi, Folernace Poya and Dyana Wahbzadeh. Let's keep these five names in mind because they belong to the Afghan girls who, with their project, are actively contributing to the battle - or, perhaps, it would be more appropriate to call it war - against the Coronavirus. These teenagers, aged 14 to 17, made an inexpensive model of a hospital ventilator from parts made from a Toyota Corolla.
The girls are part of Afghan Dreamers, a scientific training program aimed exclusively at women, thanks to which they can learn about robotics.The academic institution, founded by entrepreneur Roya Mahboob, is located in Herat, one of the areas most affected by the virus in Afghanistan. It was this alarming fact that prompted the governor to appeal to his fellow citizens to join forces and find ways to produce as many ventilators as possible, essential in the treatment of the most severely ill patients. The request did not go unheeded and the five girls immediately got to work, creating two prototypes, both easily replicable and cheap to make. One is based on a project by MIT, one of the most important research institutes in the world, and the other, in fact, on the conversion of the engine and other automotive parts. Their initiative must be celebrated and made known throughout the world as a warning to encourage women's education even in the most disadvantaged countries such as Afghanistan, where the percentage of women who have received school education is still very (too) low.
Sophia of Sweden: a princess in the ward
The latest great example of women empowerment dedicated to the fight against COVID-19 stands out from all the others. This girl has not invented anything, but, with her actions, she has revolutionized the prestigious role she has played. We are talking about Sofia of Sweden, wife of Prince Charles Philip, fourth in line of succession to the Swedish throne. But what has this princess done so extraordinary? We tell you right away: she took off her crown and luxury clothes to take on the role of a volunteer, after attending a three-day intensive course at Sophiahemmet University in Stockholm. In fact, in the Scandinavian country, many ordinary citizens have taken steps to lighten the exhausting work that health personnel are overburdened with in hospitals during this emergency. Sofia, like the rest of the volunteers, will be in charge of disinfecting the hospital instruments, will contribute to the management of the administration and it will also be her duty to keep in touch with the relatives of hospitalized patients. The girl, who has humble origins and work was a model, before meeting her prince charming, she had even participated in a reality show. Despite everything, with great elegance and modesty, as in all self-respecting fairy tales, Sofia managed to overcome the initial prejudices and to win the hearts of her subjects, with whom - on several occasions - she canceled the distances. A great example of nobility ... of soul, of course!
