The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
SCHOOLS are closed, but this is a holiday with a difference because of the coronavirus (Covid-19).
The world is currently in the throes of the pandemic and one wonders how children figure in all this.
Quarantines and lockdowns have become the order of the day in many parts of the world.
How are toddlers, teenagers or even adults coping with this new social reality?
Are they living in fear and, if so, how much do they know about this virus?
“To be honest I am a bit scared,” said a Form Two pupil from Lomagundi College.
“We obviously love school holidays, but this one is a little different, and we are not allowed to visit or even see our next door friends.
“It is not the best of holidays but I guess what is happening is for the best in light of this outbreak,” she said.
How much do they know about coronavirus?
“It is like a cold or flu; the symptoms are pretty much the same, but coronavirus is spreading quickly and it is infecting and affecting a lot of people.
“Our teachers have done a commendable job by giving us a lot of information about this virus. Obviously by practicing a lot of hygiene, we will be okay,” adds another high school student.
Even Early Child Development (ECD) students are also in the loop.
“At crèche we were told to wash our hands, to use sanitisers and be smart because there is corona(virus),” said one five-year-old during an interview with The Sunday Mail Society last week.
But there is always the arrogant and ignorant lot.
Similarly, there are some who like living on the edge.
“We know about Covid-19, so we are a bit careful in how we are playing in the streets,” said a Harare-based 11-year-old girl.
“It is God who protects, we can do our best, but as ghetto youths, we are strong. We are fighters; we have to hustle to survive, so we keep praying that coronavirus will not kill us. But our hustle will not stop,” declared a Mufakose-based teenager.
It is, however, believed that parents should step up to the plate in inculcating the continued need for preventative measures against Covid-19.
“Most kids are fully aware of this crisis, obviously because teachers have done their job very well. As parents we should continue with efforts even at home. My kids are staying indoors and their friends are not visiting as well. Having them indoors for too long is problematic though,” said Mrs Mavis Taguta.
However, some parents say they cannot lock their kids inside for long and they are allowing them to roam the streets as usual.
