Women Address COVID-19: Rally in San Mateo

Women are counted on to be primary caretakers of ill family members in American society. Elderly women are more likely to live alone without family support than men. And many women are at the forefront of social justice causes that help the sick and the poor.

On Saturday March 7, on the day before International Women's Day, women speakers and musical performers will address the COVID-19 epidemic and how women in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are dealing with it. Both California counties were among the first nationally to identify victims of the coronavirus.

The rally will be held from 3 to 4 pm and activists the Raging Grannies will perform for about 30 minutes. They will lead a singalong of a song they wrote about COVID-19 with lyrics giving advice and expressing concerns. (Video link below). The social justice activists, many in their 80's, are advocates of both paid sick leave and Medicare for All. They say that these programs are not only morally right but would also contribute to the containment of epidemics like COVID-19. Several of the Raging Grannies are retired doctors, nurses, and science teachers.

This event is organized by San Mateo Peace Action and the Raging Grannies Action League. San Mateo Peace Action has held weekly demonstrations for peace and justice at this busy intersection for many years. Both groups are bringing signs in Spanish and English, including "Wash Your Hands," "Healthcare not Warfare" and "Stay Home if You're Sick."

300 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94402. It's a busy intersection so we'll hold signs to demonstrate for women's rights while we hang out in the plaza (there is an overhang) and sing along with the Raging Grannies. See photo of recent performance at Lytton Square in Palo Alto in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Souped up and ready to rage again, in San Mateo this time!