Abstract:
Impact of Covid-19 on children is immense
affecting not only their health but their
education and safety. The long-term effects of
this pandemic are unknown but short-term
outcomes are clear. Even though the disease
per se is affecting children mildly the effect of
periodic lockdown and school closure has led
to issues in their learning. Children are learning
remotely through the electronic devices hence
it hinders their physical activity and social
interaction. Being at home, snacking all the
time and having access to mobile phones with
less physical activity has led to childhood
obesity. At the same time, children belonging to
poor socio-economic status have
undernutrition due to food security issues.
Children with special needs and special
education are affected more as the services
have seized due to the pandemic. Parents of
these children are not familiar in caring for
these children hence their underlying
condition can get exacerbated. High level of
stress, unemployment, social isolation has led
stress in the family and promoted violence
towards children. Help seeking and lack of access to services have contributed to child
safety issues as well.
We need to prioritize and reopen schools in a
graded manner with proper health and safety.
Remote system of education is advocated
which involves children with special needs as
well.
