Since its outbreak near the end of 2019, the coronavirus has
affected more than 109,000 individuals of 104 countries around the world. As a
precautionary measure, travelers have limited flying while numerous public, social,
and even religious events are canceled due to the fear of its exposure.
And now many countries have ordered the closure of schools
for an indefinite period as children are potentially the most at risk. In fact, the
UNESCO
says that school closure in more than 13 countries leaves almost 290.5 million
children at home.
As the epicenter of the disease, China has the most children
out of school at 233 million. Japan with 331 diagnoses of coronavirus is
keeping 16.5 million children at home while Iran claims to have 14.6 million
children impacted by school closures.
Although school closure may lessen children’s exposure to
the virus, it does have its set of adverse consequences. This includes a halt
in the children’s learning and keeping them deprived of growth opportunities.
Working parents also have to take leave from their jobs to care for the
children while they are off from school.
Infographic by: www.statista.com
