The Hidden Tolls of the Pandemic
This past year, COVID-19 has taken many lives; over 3 million people worldwide have died, including nearly 600 thousand people in the US. However, often less talked about are the hidden long-term effects of the pandemic, many of which stem from the mandatory lockdowns that paused life as we know it. Unfortunately, these issues will not go away once life returns to normal- the trauma will compound for years to come. It is important to be aware of these issues because, without intervention, they will have rippling effects on society.
The pandemic has taken a large toll on education. Due to the virtual learning environment, many are not meeting their education standards in reading and math. On top of that, school attendance has dropped due to sickness, quarantine regulations, and fears of contracting coronavirus. Even in school, the educational experience is worse; social distancing does not lend itself to group work, and some teachers are opening the windows in the cold winter to increase airflow into the classroom. Some children in foster care and with disabilities are not going to school. Unfortunately, students who fall behind in school struggle to catch up in subsequent years.
In addition to education, the pandemic has caused a spike in poverty rates. While many white collar professionals were able to work from home, many retail workers and small business owners were forced to shut down and lay off much of their staff members. The unemployment rate has spiked, resulting in many people without the ability to care for their families. An estimated 17 million children were at risk of hunger (more than a 200% increase from pre-covid). On a positive note, as the economy reopens, people are beginning to get their jobs back and recover financially.
Perhaps even worse of all is the mental health epidemic caused by extended isolation from the lockdowns. People struggling with addiction have been unable to access in-person support groups, crucial to their recovery. People of all ages have struggled with loneliness, anxiety, and depression; emergency rooms have seen a 31% increase in teen visits related to mental health. On top of that, the inability to meet friends in person caused a spike in social media use, which has been proven to be associated with social comparison, depression, and loneliness.
It is important for individuals to understand that the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic go beyond the coronavirus itself. In the coming years, society’s ability to grapple with and take on these implications will drive the future of our nation. As a member of the pro life generation, I believe that it is necessary to work to overcome these challenges, because the lives of thousands of more children and adults could be at stake.
Dominic Parente is a junior in the College studying Economics. He currently serves as the Off-Campus Service Chair of Right to Life. As with all other blog posts, the views expressed here reflect those of the author and are not official club statements or positions.
