Impact of second wave covid-19 on children in India

Dear Editor,

The year 2020 saw a sudden halt to everything because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and colleges were closed, isolating children from their teachers and friends; healthcare workers provided services in intimidating situations; daily wage workers were thrown into uncertain livelihoods; rise in domestic violence and child marriage cases; economic blow resulting in an incalculable recession and an increased level of mental health crisis.

The road to recovery was nearing - Drugs Controller General of India approved Oxford-AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech’s coronavirus shots but the second wave rattled India and the world. One of the factors responsible for second wave is the double mutant variant, which has been found in 61 % of samples that underwent genome sequencing (“Maharashtra: double mutant found in 61% samples tested”, n.d.). Flouting preventive measures along with the presence of new variant has resulted in a nationwide crisis.

The second wave is inkling that children are at a risk of being infected. According to a data by Union Health Ministry 79,688 children from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Delhi tested positive for the virus since March (“Coronavirus: Over 79, 000 children tested positive since March as India grapples with second wave”, n.d.). Children affected by covid-19 are showing symptoms of mild fever, cold and cough, body ache, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Some children with prolonged fever are showing complications such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C). Vaccines are still not available for children as they have not been found safe according to the testing of AstraZeneca, which was suspended because of being linked to blood clotting (“Oxford Pauses Dosing in Trial of AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine in Children, Teenagers”, n.d.).

COVID pandemic has been extremely challenging for children who have dealt with a crisis, which is complete opposite of their healthy and normal development – online education, restricted meetings with friends, relatives, sedentary lifestyle, psychological stress and more recent the impact of second wave. How do we take care of our children? What is the way forward? Parents must be careful in recognizing symptoms so that an early intervention provides better results. Wearing masks, avoiding going outside, maintaining hygiene and social distancing are still the safest strategy. Building patient and compassionate relationship with your children at this vulnerable event is highly recommended.