COVID Testimonial ENGLISH Hello there. I’m Giovanna, a 4th year Pharmacy student from Sao Paulo, Brazil. From the start of the pandemic all the way through today – post pandemic transition – I’ve acknowledged the importance of Pharmacists from ensuring medical supplies would get to healthcare facilities; how easily lay people could rely on Pharmacists to get updated information or orientation concerning how to protect themselves to avoid infection and what to do in case of infection; providing Pharmaceutical Assistance when Medical doctors were not available; and there’s countless examples. In addition to that, Pharmacists – inserted in a transdisciplinary context – still have an important role regarding the regulation, control and standardization of vaccines and therapies for both COVID infection and Post-COVID Syndrome, as well as facilitating the logistics of medical supplies and medicines to guarantee the functioning of health services in my country. As for myself, I’ve acknowledged the importance of life balance in our lives. During the pandemic, I was on the edge overloading myself and that was not healthy nor sustainable from the point I almost had a burnout. That scared me, especially how it affected my quality of life as well as my mental and physical health. When you take Health for granted, you don’t think another late night is that bad, you don’t realize how you are putting aside yourself and the people you care about or the consequences you may face in the short and long term. You might become a monothematic person if you continue following this path and the imbalances to your health state could be permanent. That almost happened with me, specifically during the prolonged quarantines we faced in Brazil. I was not able to be outside enjoying the day or sunbathing in the park, all museums were closed, I could not see family and friends… So, I needed some distraction from how sad and overwhelmed I felt about having to stay at home, how I was frightened about the whole situation, including epidemiological reports and conversations on video calls with friends which were on the front line. In addition to that, we still have a long way to go in order to fight against misinformation and the social inequalities that become more and more pronounced in Brazil. Lately, it has been a challenge to establish a life balance, to be reacquainted with in person classes and lab practices, to deal with crowded spaces again – such as the metro – and to adapt to how abruptly things can change. At university, we are required to use masks. At work, I’ve experienced periods in which wearing masks were mandatory and periods of relaxation of distancing and mask use. Lastly, I believe wholeheartedly in research and development, and Science in a broader context. We, as future healthcare professionals, have a duty and responsibility to promote Health Literacy in whatever field we choose to pursue, contributing to make information and scientific knowledge accessible. Giovanna Sousa Silva, s.sousagiovanna@gmail.com
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