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Global Health Econ Sustain Musicians and COVID-19 in Brazil

This fact may explain the rapid expansion in the 4. Final considerations
use of technologies by the musicians who answered
our questionnaire. The same research also reported The present study confirms some data already observed
that in 2020, the music market in Brazil was heavily in the literature, such as the predominance of men among
impacted: 8141 music events were canceled, 8,060,693 musicians, and teaching music as an alternative to keep
people working in the music industry were directly working in this field. This study also shows that most
musicians need flexible work schedules since to make a
affected, and an estimated loss of 500 million BRL was living they must perform different activities, including
estimated.
perhaps some outside the music field.
Regarding the emotional problems of the studied
As most musicians in our sample worked at live music
population, it was found that during the research period, performances in their daily routine, there was a sudden loss
the feeling of sadness, constant, or occasional was reported of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context,
by 28.9% of the musicians. Already 46.3% reported concern working from home was essential to mitigate the loss of
or nervousness and more than half of respondents (51.5%) work and income. Online technology also provided tools
reported that the quality of sleep worsened (Figure 9).
to minimize the losses, and even musicians who did not
We were unable to find other studies investigating the previously use it, quickly became adept. The health effects on
same topic concerning musicians; however, a study carried this group of workers were observed, for example, due to the
out on the Brazilian population in general also found a greatest decrease in sleep quality among those who lost income.
high prevalence of emotional problems in the initial period The research shows that given the great difference with
of the pandemic (Barros et al., 2020). regard to the development of local production chains and
the amount of cultural equipment in each Brazilian region, it
Table 2. Percentage of musicians in different work is necessary to conduct further regional research. The results
environments suggest the need for more individual, social and political
Working environment % attention to musicians, in an attempt to minimize the impact of
Concert halls, bars, or restaurants 55.8 the COVID-19 pandemic and other adverse events on the living
conditions and emotional health of this group in particular.
Recording studios 39.8
Finally, this study sought to portray the initial period of
Theaters 39.6 the health crisis that broke out in Brazil in 2020, providing a
Festivals 39.6
glimpse into the intensity of social distancing and the living
Regular or music schools 35.4 conditions of musicians in the initial period of the COVID-19
Home 32.7 pandemic, their income and working conditions, as well as
Cultural houses or institutions 26.7 their emotional health. Based on previous studies that showed
Universities 19.8 informality of the works of Brazilian musicians (Requião,
Religious institutions 13.8 2020; Requião & Costa, 2023; Costa, 2020; Erthal, 2017;
Digital platforms 13.8 Guazina, 2021) that set them apart from the working class in
terms of social rights, we consider that the data presented here
Fairs or popular parties 21 corroborate previous assessments about the vulnerability of
Producers or publishers 9 these workers, in particular those who work with live music.
Street (parks, metro stations, etc.) 9 In this sense, we indicate the need for continued research in
this area, as well as the development of public policies that can
protect and support workers in this sector.

Acknowledgments
The authors thank the musicians who answered to the
survey.

Funding
None.

Conflict of interest
Figure 9. The prevalence of emotional health of musicians (%). Source:
EPI-Música Research. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2023) 6 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.0434