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#ChildrensVoices is a ReaderLympics initiative, where children are invited to share their experiences of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.
To submit your own letter, or to find out more visit www.readerlympics.co.za
By Yanda Magudumana, 14 years old
The name coronavirus is obtained from the Latin word corona meaning crown or wreath, itself a borrowing from Greek koro`ne¯, garland wreath.
The name was first used in 1968 by a group of virologist in the journal of nature to designate the new family of viruses.
The name refers to the appearance of the virus having crown-like characteristics. This is some insightful news that I researched about COVID-19.
This lockdown has had a positive and negative effect on me. The positive is that, this time has helped me to relax and participate in activities that I couldn’t do like baking and jogging because I have an extremely busy schedule at boarding school.
I also missed lying in my own bed at home and having time alone instead of sleeping in the boarding house.
A positive effect for the country and world is that pollution has decreased drastically.
For example, in Venice, Italy the little rivers where boats and gondolas used to roam, the water is clear and there’s ducks in the water.
In China there are blue skies instead of cloudy, grey clouds of smoke.
Online schooling is challenging, even though I don’t need to wear school uniform and I get to wake up thirty minutes later than usual.
Starting new topics without having a teacher to assist when you do not understand is strenuous and frustrating.
A negative effect of this lockdown for me is that, I miss my friends immensely and it’s difficult to catch up with them as I’m not good at texting.
I have a lot of time to myself and I tend to overthink, so I miss being busy. I’m looking forward to the end of lockdown so I could go out with my friends, go shopping, attend dance competitions and just enjoying takeaways from Mc Donald’s or a pizza place.
If Covid-19 cases increase and people still go out during lockdown, infection will double, even triple.
This may cause the lockdown period to be extended and the economy to crash. My hope is that the infection cases will decrease do we can come out of lockdown and live our normal lives.
If you are the parent of a teen struggling through the lockdown, the following resources are available to provide immediate support:
Suicide Crisis Line 0800 567 567 or SMS line 31393
South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) Mental Health Line 011 234 4837
Akeso Psychiatric Response Unit (24 hours a day) 0861 435 787
Find a therapist near you on TherapyRoute.com
Chat back:
Share your story with us and we could publish it. Anonymous contributions are welcome.
WhatsApp: Send messages and voicenotes to 066 010 0325
Email: Share your story with us via email at chatback @ parent24.com
