UK author, scholar, advocate, and consultant on childhood, Tim Gill summarizes his thoughts and observations on how COVID-19 affects children, and the role of children in the spread of the disease in a post published today (May 14th, 2020) on his website Rethinking Childhood.
Based on the best available evidence, he makes the following observations:
- Children are much less likely to become seriously ill from Covid-19 than adults, and appear less likely to become infected.
- Unlike with influenza, it appears that children are not more likely than adults to spread the disease, and may be significantly less likely.
- There are good grounds for thinking that outdoor environments present a low risk of infection compared to indoor ones, especially where the time spent in close proximity to other people is short.
- Pandemic control measures are likely to lead to significant collateral damage to children, with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children worst affected.
- Government, local authorities and other public agencies should take a balanced approach to supporting children through the pandemic.
In summary, Tim urges the UK government to re-examine their position and guidance on childcare, on children’s play, and on children’s mobility, and make more room for children to learn, move and play outdoors.
To read the full article, click here.