How is the pandemic affecting the elderly?

‘THE SICKNESS IS KILLING US IN SO MAY DIFFERENT WAYS’:

ELDERS IN RURAL LESOTHO REFLECT ON THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19

‘Everything shut down when this thing [Covid-19] came,’ she says. ‘Our children lost their jobs, their children could not continue with their studies, and chaos started. In this household none of the children are going to school because there is no money, and things are getting worse. They need the education, but I doubt they will be able to go.’ 

–Mapheello Mots’eleli,

Ha Ramabele, Matsieng, Lesotho

What effects have school closures had on learning?

‘THINGS WILL GET HEAVIER AND HEAVIER FOR THEM’:

THE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19 SCHOOL CLOSURES IN LESOTHO

In 2019, schools in Lesotho were closed for months due to teachers’ strikes. In 2020, schools closed for the majority of the year because of Covid-19. Now, in 2021, schools are gradually reopening, but many students from poor families are unable to return because of their families’ worsening financial instability – a result of the economic impact of Covid-19.

How inclusive are Covid-19 laws for persons with disabilities?

COVID-19 AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

The right to education of children with disabilities came to a standstill because the alternatives offered were neither inclusive nor available for all the learners whose needs warranted special attention. The measures adopted by governments to protect the life, health and safety of these people largely ignored their heightened vulnerability. 

How has the pandemic affected you financially?

EMOTIONAL & FINANCIAL STRESS ON YOUNG ADULTS & CREATIVES

The focus that is spent on each young individual must be met with another level of empathy – the emotional effects of many young people who are disappointed with the outcomes of their hard work can linger and taint other areas of their life. If they don’t feel supported they can often fall into destructive habits to ease their pain and tension. Support groups and close communities are essential in tracking the development of young adults and creatives as they navigate the new world. COVID-19 hit the world hard – and each individual must be understood based on their experiences and their emotional and financial situations to fully comprehend what they are feeling during this time.

How has Covid-19 affected jobs in the Arts & Entertainment Industry?

LET IT PLAY: RE-EVALUATING CREATIVE SPACES DURING COVID-19

The idea of a space being affected by a virus can be an unusual way to view the impact it has caused however when artists such as musicians mainly depend on the amount of people collecting in one space to witness their work being made it can be a very jarring change to have that space removed and monitored constantly. Live gigs and performances were abruptly stopped and artists had to find new sources of income from working remotely.

What effects has the pandemic had on young school girls in rural areas?

GIRL LEARNER BACK TO SCHOOL PROJECT IN MALAWI WITH UKHONDO SERVICES

As more schools open up, I would like to see better initiative being taken by the schools. There’s a gap in the mindset of how people view education and how we would like them to value education. There are all these roles that we place on school children… we say ‘get educated to be a nurse, or a doctor, or a pilot, roles which aren’t actually so prominent’. Whenever I am doing advocacy campaigns or awareness, I don’t mention these roles, I want people to understand that even as a housewife you have to be educated.

How have healthcare systems handled the influx of Covid-19 Cases?

HEALTH SYSTEMS IN ZIMBABWE

‘Presently things are better than they were the last month and a half. The period after the 2020 Christmas holiday was the most frightening and January 2021 was the worst as we would have 4 to 5 deaths per day at our provincial hospital but now we can go up to 2 or 3 days without a single death. During the holidays people became ignorant and started attending functions with no masks and no social distancing. I have also noticed that most of the people who are succumbing to Covid-19 have underlying illnesses which makes them more vulnerable to infection’

-Nurse

Harare, Zimbabwe