In countries more biased against women, higher COVID-19 death rates for men might not tell an accurate story

Pandemics and recessions have the potential to exacerbate existing health inequalities between men and women.  Many social factors can put women at a higher risk of infection during a pandemic. In almost all societies, women assume the role of primary caregiver when family members fall ill. They are also more likely to be front-line health care workers.