Social control and nursing performance in defense of life in the COVID-19 pandemic

to reflect on social control in health and the contributions that nursing can make to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

this is a theoretical reflection, elaborated from discussions based on literature and the experience of authors' performance in social control and in Primary Care. It is divided into two topics: the first, related to aspects of institutionalized social control; the second, related to the perspectives for nursing in this space.

limits and relevant aspects for nurses' role in social control are presented, contributing to a perspective of praxis in health based on their ethical-political commitment and their technical competence in the coordination and management of care to face the pandemic.

nurses' role in social control favors the strengthening of the struggle for the right to life above profits, especially through popular participation in the community context in Primary Care.