Closing School May Cause Some Kids a Lifetime of Harm
Yes, we must defeat the coronavirus. But shutting schools will also cause other problems for millions of children, perhaps lasting a life time.
At risk.
Photographer: Ricky Prakoso/AFP via Getty Images
Journalism, it’s been said, is the first rough draft of history, to which I’d add that opinion columns are the first draft of journalism. So let me venture a prediction. One long-term effect of the Covid-19 pandemic will be to leave many children behind, perhaps permanently limiting their opportunities in life. At the same time, the disruption will barely affect others and even let a few pull ahead. In short, it will exacerbate inequality.
I’m talking of course about the school closures in many countries, from Europe and Asia to North America. And I’m not interested in relitigating whether those shut-downs are necessary; let’s assume they are. But depending on how long schools stay closed, these ruptures will derail some youngsters, while spurring others to excel.