For the past three months, the world has been facing a slowdown in ever sector. This is due to the Covid-19 pandemic that started in China last December and fast absorbed other parts of the world in March 2020. This virus has caused too much harm in our social relations, with its preventive measure such as the social distancing that prevents us from being in public gatherings. With the Day of the African Child approaching, I have been thinking on the effect of the Coronavirus on our children. These effect might be Psychological, academic or on the health front. This write-up will be done using Cameroon as the context.

Psychological effect

According to some psychologists, children are mentally stable when in contact with others of the same group age. With this lockdown, what will become of them since parents must try hard to keep their children away from others, so to reduce the risks of contamination amongst them. Last year, when I was working in a cinema in Yaounde, I had the opportunity to see how kids feel when they go out for distraction with their families and friends. I could see the joy on their faces after a movie. That joy that also makes parents happy. But thing have change; those leaving in families with many children, will try playing indoors.

With the financial crisis faced by parents, it’s obvious that many have reviewed their budgets. Children will no more have they normal presents and we all know they like being pampered with gifts.

Academic effect

Two weeks after school resumption in Cameroon, many parents are still holding they kids home despite all the measures taking by the authorities to protect them from the Covid-19 in schools. Staying at home for long, will obviously make them forget the little things that they have being studying. For those that are allowed to school, the environment is no more the same; no more activities like sports or playing, eating together during breaks

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On the health front

When it comes to health issues, children are more exposed. In a report by World Health Organization specialists, we are told that the percentage of contaminated children is very low as compared to that of adults. This low rate does not exclude the fact that they can also die from the virus; we had many cases of children who died of Covid-19 around the world. Many adults don’t even respect hygienic rules, let’s not talk about these kids who are ignorant. They can easily take the virus from contaminated objects to their mouth, nose or eyes.

I hope this sad episode passes quickly so we go back to our normal life.

For the past three months, the world has been facing a slowdown in ever sector. This is due to the Covid-19 pandemic that started in China last December and fast absorbed other parts of the world in March 2020.

NAMEKONG Frank Parfait