Covid-19 Upending Lives Of Children

Covid-19 pandemic has hardly spared any sector of life. While most sectors have started to resume with covid-19 cases and deaths ebbing, the children continue to find themselves stuck in hours of emptiness. The pandemic is  upending the lives of children. It has impacted relationships and social interactions among children and adolescents the most. Experts blame the lack of social interaction that makes children feel caged up at home. Even babies and toddlers are keenly feeling the effects of their parents’ mental breakdowns, the experts underline.
Many studies on the effect of the covid-19 on children portend a distressing future for them. Some had to already bear the loss of parents, many continue to put up with parental job losses, deaths of family members, educational disruptions, domestic violence, forced home confinement, excessive digital exposure and warped human interactions. The situation has plunged the children into an almost insurmountable crisis.
A UNICEF report said that the number of children who are hungry, isolated, abused, anxious, living in poverty and forced into marriage has increased. At the same time, their access to education, socialisation and essential services, including health, nutrition and protection, has decreased, the report said. The signs that children will bear the scars of the pandemic for years to come are unmistakable, the report highlights.
The second wave has been much more relentless and took many by surprise because it came just as people felt things were returning to normal. A number of people also feel culpable for not being able to support those around them adequately while a large population is yet to recover from fiscal and personal losses of last year. Together, these factors are gravely impacting people’s confidence, and resilience to cope with situations. The present round of the pandemic also impacted the vulnerable sections more since they have much less access to mental health professionals.
As put by an expert, it is essential to overcome the fear psychosis with a positive mind that “the pandemic phase is temporary and this shall pass too.”
The situation also demands pro-activeness and applying of mind on how to deal with the crisis. Equally, medical professionals must find innovative ways of offering care and therapy at this juncture.  At the same time, organizations, and families must come together to offer solidarity and support those who require immediate attention. Parents need to engage their wards in various activities.  

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