When Fiona Earnhart* from Philadelphia discovered she waspregnantin March, the 31-year-old became anxious.
There was also another complication looming: the ongoingcoronavirus pandemicthat sparked a global health crisis.
Earnhart made her decision.
Fdmsd8yea/Getting Images
She was going to get anabortion.
Theres no denying that reproductive rights have always been in jeopardy in this country.
According to data from theGuttmacher Institute, 32 states enacted 394 new abortion restrictions from 2011 to 2017.
Even in the face of these restrictions, people continue to seek abortions.
The coronaviruss impact on access to abortion has been multifaceted.
Then came the temporary yet still harmful pandemic-era legal limitations.
This not only applies to abortion services but our midwifery and birth services as well.
Although the clinic does remain open, the pandemic has naturally changed its status quo.
The team also performs temperature checks and maintains a socially distanced waiting room.
They are also requiring that patients wearmasks.
Leopard and her team have to do more with a lot less.
Nevertheless, they persist.
“The pandemic hasnt changed our commitment.
For Earnhart, the pandemic only complicated her experience of terminating her pregnancy.
I was definitely scared and really didnt want to be there, Earnhart tells SELF.
I just wanted to get it over with and move on.
The pandemic is having a clear and devastating financial effect on millions of people.
Losing your health insurance often follows losing your job.
(The state makes an exception for cases of life endangerment.)
Many Texans already struggle to access abortion care due to coverage bans in our state, says Conner.
The people Conner and her team assist are often young and live in rural areas.
Many are students or are parents already.
A majority of them are women of color.
These communities have always historically been kept at the margins of health care access, says Conner.
The pandemic has only amplified that.
*Name has been changed to protect privacy.
