The schools have been shut down indefinitely. In place, where possible, children have been asked to participate in e-learning during these uncertain times. Recreation facilities, including arenas, pools and playing fields, have been closed. Many privately-funded extracurricular activities have been suspended. Children, other than siblings, have been placed into social isolation and are unable to communicate with their friends and relatives except through social media. Some of their parents have been laid off and/or forced to socially isolate from home.
Nothing of this magnitude and duration has ever happened in recent times, certainly not in my lifetime. While adults have developed certain coping mechanisms, children can still see and hear the resulting stress in our eyes and voices. What is particularly difficult is the fact that the adults can offer no clear explanations or time lines for this outbreak. Everyday we are bombarded with ongoing updates and disturbing news about the spread of this apparently unstoppable virus and the reactions of the authorities. This is enough to cause serious anxiety among adults, never mind the children.
When all is said and done, the real casualties of the pandemic will be the mental health of children. To understand what happened, many children will ultimately require not only counselling, but treatment to deal with the traumatic outcomes of the war on COVID-19. Interim measures such as social distancing are fine for now, but societies will have to implement longer-term help for their recovery and a return to some semblance of normality. In the interim, what we as adults must do is to not only protect their physical health, but also take precautions regarding their mental health. Give them the information that they need about the pandemic and avoid all the misinformation that exists out there. Try to not candy coat the situation, but try not to overly alarm them. Clearly, your reassurance and love is what they so terribly need right now and in the near future. After all, as the old adage goes, the future is in our children.
FROLITICKS 
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