Daily Times

We would like to express our views about the problem that we are facing not only as a nation, but the whole of humanity as we know it. Covid-19 has rapidly grasped the entire world no matter what our race, ethnicity, religion or country of residence is. We are all affected by the pandemic in some way or another and our emotional and social well-being in particular, are suffering.

As young students in Lahore, we wanted to give you the perspective of the effects of this pandemic and how it is having an effect, both positively and negatively on our emotional, social and physical well-being. The isolation measures have had a profound impact on the psychological and emotional mindset of individuals across society and humanity as a whole. Let us just rewind back into time for a minute and look at how previous epidemics have always induced widespread fear, loneliness, emotional imbalance and mass panic among people. In such chaotic times even the strong nerved individuals succumb to the feeling of uncertainty. Children of course are also experiencing these fears and an array of different emotions. Social and emotional insecurities are high amongst us.

As children our whole routines have been turned upside down. The stable routine we once had of going to school, socializing and exercising has all been somewhat disturbed. It’s important for us to be aware of our emotions and the mixed feelings we are feeling during this difficult time and practice mindfulness. We are experiencing a range of emotions from frustration, anger and sadness, but, we have to effectively work on our outlook to life currently and push through these dark times by focusing on the positive aspects of it.

As Pakistanis our culture revolves around being social with one another and under the circumstances we are now faced with having to maintain relationships at a safe distance with the ones we care for. The loss of social connections has left us feeling great sadness as we are now missing out on the social interactions we were used to. The routine and stability that surrounded us is temporarily gone. Not knowing when our routines will stabilize is causing a feeling of uncertainty amongst us. However, the positive outlook to this is that we can create an environment where we get ourselves used to using phones, tablets and computers to remain socially active with our loved ones using apps and programs like Skype and zoom. We are adapting to the changes in our daily life because of the pandemic and with the right support and help we can help ease other children like us into adapting to these new conditions and coping with them more effectively. It should be encouraged by parents to allow their young ones to stay connected with their friends via these applications. This pandemic does not mean total social isolation!

We think what is upsetting us children the most is that we are finding ourselves amidst a storm of mixed emotions ranging from confusion, anger and frustration. Now let’s look at this whole scenario objectively. A teenager might be able to cope with lack of social contact with friends by staying in touch with them using smartphones and computers which keep them rather entertained. But, what about a relatively younger child who requires constant attention from his/her mother? Being deprived of these things result in an emotional imbalance amongst many children of young ages. While one may throw a tantrum in anger and break his toys, another one might stop communicating and become socially distant with his confidence shattered. Some might even get distracted resulting in decreased productivity during classes and the list goes on. Therefore it is imperative to keep a positive mindset during this time.

We think what is upsetting us children the most is that we are finding ourselves amidst a storm of mixed emotions ranging from confusion, anger and frustration. Now let’s look at this whole scenario objectively

We, as children have always been an important part of our society and we should always be kept well informed regarding the changes around us especially events or situations like the pandemic so that we can adapt in our own time and pay attention to our well-being as individuals.

We are vulnerable members of society and absorb what’s going on around us like sponges. School closures have been a drastic global response to the COVID -19 pandemic. Children are spending their whole time with their family and guardians. Parents need to stop watching news in front of their children about the coronavirus as the uncertainty can affect us more than what you may think. Therefore, it is particularly important for the adults in our lives to talk about the pandemic positively, highlighting the fact that we are able to spend quality time with one another, learning more about ourselves and the others around us and having a sense of gratitude and empathy towards our whole outlook on life. Let’s not forget that this has also allowed us to think about ourselves where we may not have done previously because of the hurried life we led. This pandemic has given us a chance to slow down and allow the chance for us to take a deep breath and engage in understanding who we are as individuals.

Many parents are juggling their jobs along with home schooling of their children but they need to create a safe, secure environment for their children during these times. Positive interactions between children can promote the feeling of reassurance and happiness. Adults should give us the advocacy to be more independent and give us more responsibilities around the house. Let us all observe our own emotions, because it is only when we are able to recognize our emotions that we can make better choices in our life.

Students of Grade V IB, Lahore Grammar School, Phase V