ABSTRACT

Australia’s response to COVID-19 has been effective in limiting transmission, resulting in fewer cases than in many countries. Nevertheless, the pandemic and responses to it have created serious social and economic problems that are impacting negatively on children. Existing inequalities have been exacerbated, poverty is deepening, and relationships are under pressure, with highly deleterious consequences for children. Despite the significant impacts on children, they have been largely invisible in policy responses and there have been no serious attempts on the part of political leaders to engage with children or respond to their concerns. This viewpoint draws on research undertaken prior to the pandemic with children aged between seven and twelve years to analyse the ways in which COVID-19 responses are likely to impact on children.

摘要

澳大利亚对 COVID-19 的反应有效地限制了传播，导致病例数少于许多国家。然而，这一流行病及其应对措施造成了严重的社会和经济问题，对儿童产生了负面影响。现有的不平等加剧了，贫困在加深，人际关系面临压力，对儿童造成了极其有害的后果。尽管对儿童产生了重大影响，但它们在政策反应中基本上是无形的，而且政治领导人也没有认真尝试与儿童接触或回应他们的担忧。这一观点借鉴了大流行之前对 7 至 12 岁儿童进行的研究，以分析 COVID-19 反应可能对儿童产生影响的方式。