Health Consequences Of COVID-19 Research Articles

Socio-Economic and Health Consequences of COVID-19 on Indian Migrants: A Landscape Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hugely affected the world and human lives, the economy, and lifestyles. The pandemic control measures, such as lockdowns, forced many people to migrate from their destination to their source in various states, leading to increased vulnerability of migrants. The present review aimed to explore the different health, economic, and social impacts on internal migrants of India during the pandemic. The publications on internal migration and COVID-19 from India were retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 159 articles were extracted, of which 28 were reviewed. The articles published after March 1, 2020, were included in the review, irrespective of the design. Out of 28 articles, only half were original studies; the rest were either perspective, opinion, and review studies or editorial and commentary papers. Depression, anxiety, and stress due to job loss and lockdown were the major health issues documented. There was livelihood disturbance due to loss of income, such as inability to pay rent, loans, borrowing from relatives, and fear of its consequences. The migrants also faced stigma and discrimination from the villagers. The review also highlighted that although the government implemented various schemes to help the migrants, the majority were left out due to the non-availability of identity proof and ration cards. The safeguarding measures for these unregistered migrants must be facilitated to access health, economic, and social protection. Although various publications have focused on the mental health of the migrants, the socio-ecological aspects have been least explored, which calls for further studies. The literature on the impact of COVID-19 on other vulnerable populations like women and children and access to healthcare services is also scant, which needs to be explored further.

Development and Validation of the COVID-19 Worries and Fears Scale.

Objectives: How individuals perceive the risk of COVID-19 influences their mental health and protective behaviors. Therefore, the development of an instrument to capture COVID-19-related worries and fears is relevant. This study aims to develop and validate the CoV-WoFe to measure COVID-19-related worries and fears. Methods: An online questionnaire was completed by 593 participants during Christmas 2020 and by 328 participants during Summer 2021, from which 88 participants formed a longitudinal sample. Results: Analyses confirmed a robust adjustment for consistency over time and a gender-invariant bifactorial structure. Factor 1 represented worry about the health consequences of COVID-19 and Factor 2 represented the perceived physiological symptoms associated with fear of COVID-19. Construct validity was evidenced by: the expected relations between the CoV-WoFe and other theoretically related constructs; the serial mediating role of both dimensions in the relationship that security values establish with protective behaviors against COVID-19 and with anxiety; and the expected gender differences in the Cov-WoFe. Conclusion: The CoV-WoFe represents a short, valid, reliable, gender-invariant tool that is easy to apply in both the health professional and research context to assessCOVID-19-related worries and fears, which are variables of relevance for spread of the virus and for mental health.

The Real-World Impact of Vaccination on COVID-19 Cases During Europe's Fourth Wave.

Objectives: Disease control is important to limit the social, economic and health effects of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of novel variants emerging. Evidence suggests vaccines are less effective against the Omicron variant, but their impact on disease control is unclear. Methods: We used a longitudinal fixed effects Poisson regression model to assess the impact of vaccination on COVID-19 case rates across 32 countries in Europe from 13th October to 01st January 2022. We controlled for country and time fixed effects and the severity of public health restrictions. Results: Full vaccination coverage increased by 4.2%, leading to a 54% reduction in case rates across Europe (p < 0.001). This protection decreased over time but remained significant at 5 weeks after the detection of Omicron. Mean booster vaccination rates increased from 2.71% to 24.5% but provided no significant additional benefit. For every one-unit increase in the severity of public health restrictions, case rates fell by a further 2% (p = 0.019). Conclusion: Full vaccination significantly limited the spread of COVID-19 and blunted the impact of the Omicron variant, despite becoming less useful over time.

Global Prevalence of Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Condition or Long COVID: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

IntroductionThis study aims to examine the worldwide prevalence of post COVID-19 condition, through a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and iSearch were searched on July 5, 2021 with verification extending to March 13, 2022. Using a random effects framework with DerSimonian-Laird estimator, we meta-analyzed post COVID-19 condition prevalence at 28+ days from infection.Results50 studies were included, and 41 were meta-analyzed. Global estimated pooled prevalence of post COVID-19 condition was 0.43 (95% CI: 0.39,0.46). Hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients have estimates of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.44,0.63) and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.25,0.46), respectively. Regional prevalence estimates were Asia— 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37,0.65), Europe— 0.44 (95% CI: 0.32,0.56), and North America— 0.31 (95% CI: 0.21,0.43). Global prevalence for 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after infection were estimated to be 0.37 (95% CI: 0.26,0.49), 0.25 (95% CI: 0.15,0.38), 0.32 (95% CI: 0.14,0.57) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.40,0.59), respectively. Fatigue was the most common symptom reported with a prevalence of 0.23 (95% CI: 0.17,0.30), followed by memory problems (0.14 [95% CI: 0.10,0.19]).DiscussionThis study finds post COVID-19 condition prevalence is substantial; the health effects of COVID-19 appear to be prolonged and can exert stress on the healthcare system.

Quantifying the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender equality on health, social, and economic indicators: a comprehensive review of data from March, 2020, to September, 2021

SummaryBackgroundGender is emerging as a significant factor in the social, economic, and health effects of COVID-19. However, most existing studies have focused on its direct impact on health. Here, we aimed to explore the indirect effects of COVID-19 on gender disparities globally.MethodsWe reviewed publicly available datasets with information on indicators related to vaccine hesitancy and uptake, health care services, economic and work-related concerns, education, and safety at home and in the community. We used mixed effects regression, Gaussian process regression, and bootstrapping to synthesise all data sources. We accounted for uncertainty in the underlying data and modelling process. We then used mixed effects logistic regression to explore gender gaps globally and by region.FindingsBetween March, 2020, and September, 2021, women were more likely to report employment loss (26·0% [95% uncertainty interval 23·8–28·8, by September, 2021) than men (20·4% [18·2–22·9], by September, 2021), as well as forgoing work to care for others (ratio of women to men: 1·8 by March, 2020, and 2·4 by September, 2021). Women and girls were 1·21 times (1·20–1·21) more likely than men and boys to report dropping out of school for reasons other than school closures. Women were also 1·23 (1·22–1·23) times more likely than men to report that gender-based violence had increased during the pandemic. By September 2021, women and men did not differ significantly in vaccine hesitancy or uptake.InterpretationThe most significant gender gaps identified in our study show intensified levels of pre-existing widespread inequalities between women and men during the COVID-19 pandemic. Political and social leaders should prioritise policies that enable and encourage women to participate in the labour force and continue their education, thereby equipping and enabling them with greater ability to overcome the barriers they face.FundingThe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Epidemics, pandemics and income inequality

The novel coronavirus is part of a series of infectious disease outbreaks that include: Ebola, Avian influenza, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and Influenza A. This paper addresses the question of how do these epidemics and pandemics affect income inequality in countries around the world during the first two decades of this century. To achieve its objective, the paper develops a model that indicates a positive association between these health crises and income inequality. To empirically test our theoretical predictions, the paper explores the effect on the Gini coefficient of a dummy variable that indicates the occurrence of an epidemic or a pandemic in a country in a given year and the number of deaths per 100,000. To properly address potential endogeneity, we implement a Three-Stage-Least Squares technique. The estimation shows that the number of deaths per 100,000 population variable has a statistically significant positive effect on the Gini coefficient, especially when we incorporate COVID-19 data. This suggests that not only the occurrence, but also the health consequences of COVID-19 have a significant and economically important effect on income inequality.Background: The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of epidemics and pandemics on income inequality. This has important implications as the outcome of this study can guide policymakers into implementing policies that can mitigate the economic consequences of these health crises.Methods: The study is a cross country analysis using fixed effects estimation. To address potential endogeneity and determine causality, the paper uses the Three-Stage-Least-Squares estimation.Results: The paper finds that the number of epidemic deaths per 100,000 population variable has a statistically significant positive effect on the Gini coefficient, especially when we incorporate COVID-19 data.Conclusions: The paper finds that it is not only the occurrence of an epidemic, captured by the epidemics dummy variable, but also the health consequences, captured by the number of deaths per 100,000 population, that have a significant effect on income inequality. This is especially the case when we incorporate COVID-19 in our analysis.Trial registration: Not Applicable.

Unintended socio-economic and health consequences of COVID-19 among slum dwellers in Kampala, Uganda

BackgroundTo reduce the spread of COVID-19, several countries in Africa instituted countrywide lockdowns and other public health measures. Whereas lockdowns contributed to the control of the pandemic, there were concerns about the unintended consequences of these measures especially in the most vulnerable populations. We assessed unintended socio-economic and health consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation measures among slum dwellers in Kampala to inform the on-going and future pandemic response strategies.MethodsThis was a mixed methods cross-sectional study conducted in Bwaise I and Bwaise III slums of Kawempe division, Kampala Uganda from October to December 2020. We used systematic sampling to randomly select 425 household heads for the face-to-face quantitative interviews. We also conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) with slum dwellers and used photovoice among eight Community Health Workers (CHWs) to document unintended socio-economic and health consequences. Quantitative data were imported into STATA version 14.0 for analysis, while qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo version 12. Modified Poisson regression analysis was conducted to establish factors associated with impact on access to food.ResultsMost respondents reported limited access to food (71.1%; 302/425); disruption in education (77.1%; 270/350); drop in daily income and wages (86.1%; 329/382) and loss of employment (63.1; 125/198). Twenty five percent of the respondents (25.4%; 86/338) reported domestic violence as one of the challenges. Seven themes emerged from the qualitative findings on the impact of COVID-19 including: limited access to food; negative impact on children’s rights (child labour and teenage pregnancies) and education; poor housing and lack of accommodation; negative social behaviours; negative impact on family and child care; reduced income and employment; and negative impact on health and access to health care services.ConclusionThe slum dwellers of Bwaise I and Bwaise III experienced several negative socio-economic and health consequences of COVID-19 and its prevention measures that severely affected their wellbeing. Children experienced severe consequences such as child labour and teenage pregnancies among the girls. Response activities should be contextualised to different settings and protocols to protect the vulnerable groups in the community such as children and women should be developed and mainstreamed in response activities.

Potential Long-term Health Consequences of COVID-19

The Covid 2019 (COVID19) problem is the causal factor for very harsh symptoms of the breathing apparatus of the human body disorders Covid 2 (SARCoV2). Despite the fact that lung problems are the most severe, additional respiratory signs of COVID19 are plentiful. Confirmed cases of COVID19 have now exceeded 64 lakhs worldwide as of the month of nov of last year . With the expected rate of decline (the number of COVID19 transmissions broken down into an extended category of COVID19) varies between 1 and 7%, c It is possible that a large number of individuals have recovered from COVID19 which can accumulate a large number of long-term benefits. Despite the fact that multi-organism COVID19 outbreaks have been widely archived, the drawing ramifications of such waves continue to be revealed. MERSCoV]) all had distinct ramifications for SARSCoV2 infection status to predict limited COVID19 survival outcomes, combined respiratory, cardiovascular, hematologic, renal, essential neurologic, and emerging gastrointestinal and psychosocial utility, although well-known post-mortem care conditions. Show people with post-release COVID19 that they are aware of the extent and seriousness of the results. This can be done by reusing or starting to centralize a large number of companions who have so far focused not only on the effects learned from SARSCoV2, but also on the attributes of invulnerability due to ethnicity and imbalances wages. COVID19 and during hospitalizations. The ultimate fate of COVID19 survivors remains unsettled or undeterrmined, and if this infection persists in us for a long time, the results could increase dramatically as well. Covid 2019 has affected vital organs adversely specially in long term and mental health.

Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 in Older Adults Are Moderated by Existing Mental Health Needs and Emotional Support

Mitigating mental health consequences is one of the priorities for the society to advance, and the aim of this study is to investigate the mental health effects of COVID-19 in older adults and to explore risk and protective factors. Social workers recruited 722 older adults living in the community (mean age 73.6±8.4) from January 2020 to February 2021 in Hong Kong, and interviewed them for basic demographics (age, gender, education, and living status), mental health service use in recent three months (proxy for existing needs), number of people to talk to when feeling down (proxy for emotional support network), and assessed their depression using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Impacts of COVID-19 were indicated by local daily effective reproductive number (Rt) and Nth wave since the start of the pandemic. Generalized linear models (GLM) were applied. Basic demographics were not associated with depression, existing mental health needs (β=2.99, p<.001), Rt (β=1.08, p<.05) and Nth wave (β=0.49, p<.05) were positively associated with depression, while emotional support network was negatively associated with depression (β=-2.47, p<.001). There was also a significant interaction between Rt and Nth wave on depression (β=0.69, p<.05), suggesting ongoing COVID-19 took a toll on older adults’ mental health. Three-way interactions between COVID-19 Rt, Nth wave and existing mental health needs (β=0.25, p<.05) and emotional support network (β=-0.12, p=.07) on depression further indicated that older adults with existing mental health needs warrant more attention, and wider emotional support network may buffer the impact of the pandemic on mental health.

Factors Related to Psychological Distress during the First Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Chilean Population.

The health effects of COVID-19 continue to raise doubts today. In some areas, such as mental health, these doubts have scarcely been addressed. The present study analyses the effects on psychological distress during the first phase of the pandemic in Chile. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed by using a questionnaire validated in Spain and adapted for Chile. Between 22 April and 16 December 2020, 3227 questionnaires were collected from the 16 regions of Chile, using non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were performed. The variables that could predict psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile were: having a poor self-perception of health OR = 4.038, 95% CI = (2.831, 5.758); being younger than 29 OR = 2.287, 95% CI = (1.893, 2.762); having diarrhea OR = 2.093, 95% CI = (1.414, 3.098); having headache OR = 2.019, 95% CI = (1.662, 2.453); being a woman OR = 1.638, 95% CI = (1.363, 1.967); having muscle pain OR = 1.439, 95% CI = (1.114, 1.859); and having had casual contact with an infected person OR = 1.410, 95% CI = (1.138, 1.747). In Chile, with a better social, economic, cultural, and health environment compared to neighboring countries, there has been a high percentage of psychological distress. It is time to prioritize measures to safeguard the mental health of Chileans, especially focused on the most vulnerable population according to our results, i.e., young women with poorer health status.

Living conditions, lifestyle habits and health among adults before and after the COVID-19 outbreak

BackgroundStudies on the public health consequences of COVID-19 pandemic based on robust data and methods are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate mental and physical health as well as living conditions and lifestyle habits in the general population before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Sweden in spring 2020.MethodsThe study is based on 2,273 persons 16-84 years who responded to the national public health survey in spring 2020 in Värmland county (overall response rate 45%). The differences between early (n = 1,711) and late (n = 562) respondents were studied using multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for background characteristics age, gender, educational level, and country of birth. Similar analyses were also completed in the corresponding survey carried out in spring 2018.ResultsStatistically significant differences between the groups were obtained for economic difficulties and worry about losing onés job, which were more common among late respondents, and for sleeping difficulties, which were more common among early respondents. There were no differences in other living conditions nor in lifestyle factors. Prevalence of good self-rated health, high blood pressure, aches in shoulders or neck, anxiety or worry and stress did not differ between the groups. In 2018, the only statistically significant difference between early and late respondents concerned economic difficulties.ConclusionsVery few differences in living conditions, lifestyle factors and health were observed in the study population before and after the COVID-19 outbreak when adjusted for background characteristics. The results suggest that, in addition to a possible decrease in sleeping difficulties, the prevalence of being worried about losing one's job increased among the employed after the outbreak.Key messages The results suggest that the prevalence of being worried about losing one’s job increased among the employed after the outbreak.More research on the short- and long-term public health consequences of the pandemic in the general populations and in different subgroups, using robust data and methods, is needed.

The Heritability of Trust and Trustworthiness Depends on the Measure of Trust

Using a large sample of 1,120 twins, we estimated the heritability of trust using four distinct measures of trust – domain-specific political trust, general self-reported trust, and incentivized behavioral trust and trustworthiness. Our results highlight the importance of measuring trust in a context because its heritability differs substantially across the four measures, from 0% to 37%. Moreover, we provide the first evidence on the heritability of political trust which we estimate to be 37%. Furthermore, like the heritability, the environmental correlates of trust also vary across the different measures with political trust having the largest set of environmental covariates. The perceptions of COVID-19 health and income risks are among the unique correlates of political trust, with participants who are more worried about financial and health consequences of COVID-19, trusting politicians less, stressing the importance of trust in political leaders during a health crisis.

Systematic Review on the Mental Health and Treatment Impacts of COVID-19 on Neurocognitive Disorders.

Objectives. The COVID-19 pandemic has had many public health impacts, especially on vulnerable individuals including adults with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). With increasing literature, this systematic literature review aimed to address the mental health effects of COVID-19 on people with NCD in addition to examine the impact of the pandemic on treatments/resources for NCD. Methods. A literature search was conducted in the electronic databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Studies were included so long as they assessed the mental health or therapeutic effects of COVID-19 on NCD. Results. Among the retrieved articles, 59 met eligibility criteria. First, the pandemic and resulting self-isolation led to many detrimental effects on psychological well-being. Exacerbation and relapses of neurocognitive and behavioral symptoms were observed, as well as emergences of new psychological symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety). Second, therapeutic and community services for individuals suffering from NCD, such as social support services and outpatient clinics, were disrupted or reduced leading to postponed appointments and evaluations, as well as reduced access to medications. These issues were somewhat palliated with the growth of telemedicine. Conclusions. This systematic review highlights the extent of the effects of the pandemic, and the topics addressed should be taken into consideration by healthcare practitioners, institutions, and policymakers to ensure that proper measures are employed to protect this population from additional harm.

An Umbrella Review of the Work and Health Impacts of Working in an Epidemic/Pandemic Environment.

This umbrella review of reviews examined the evidence on the work and health impacts of working in an epidemic/pandemic environment, factors associated with these impacts, and risk mitigation or intervention strategies that address these factors. We examined review articles published in MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase between 2000 and 2020. Data extracted from the included reviews were analyzed using a narrative synthesis. The search yielded 1524 unique citations, of which 31 were included. Included studies were focused on health care workers and the risk of infection to COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses, mental health outcomes, and health care workers’ willingness to respond during a public health event. Reviews identified a variety of individual, social, and organizational factors associated with these work and health outcomes as well as risk mitigation strategies that addressed study outcomes. Only a few reviews examined intervention strategies in the workplace such as physical distancing and quarantine, and none included long-term outcomes of exposure or work during an epidemic/pandemic. Findings suggest a number of critical research and evidence gaps, including the need for reviews on occupational groups potentially exposed to or impacted by the negative work and health effects of COVID-19 in addition to health care workers, the long-term consequences of transitioning to the post-COVID-19 economy on work and health, and research with an equity or social determinants of health lens.

How are Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Associated with Traveler Behavior During the Pandemic?

This article uses data from the first wave of the COVID Future Panel study to evaluate attitudes towards COVID-19 and their influence on traveler behaviors. An exploratory factor analysis identified two underlying constructs based on the measured attitudes, namely “Concern about Pandemic Response” and “COVID Health Concern.” A cluster analysis based on the factor scores yielded four groups with distinct attitudes. Those primarily concerned about the pandemic response traveled the most using private vehicles, while those equally concerned about the response to the pandemic and the health effects of COVID-19 were found to use personal bicycles and transit the most.

COVID-19 mortality among kidney transplant candidates is strongly associated with social determinants of health.

The COVID‐19 pandemic has affected all portions of the global population. However, many factors have been shown to be particularly associated with COVID‐19 mortality including demographic characteristics, behavior, comorbidities, and social conditions. Kidney transplant candidates may be particularly vulnerable to COVID‐19 as many are dialysis‐dependent and have comorbid conditions. We examined factors associated with COVID‐19 mortality among kidney transplant candidates from the National Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients from March 1 to December 1, 2020. We evaluated crude rates and multivariable incident rate ratios (IRR) of COVID‐19 mortality. There were 131 659 candidates during the study period with 3534 all‐cause deaths and 384 denoted a COVID‐19 cause (5.00/1000 person years). Factors associated with increased COVID‐19 mortality included increased age, males, higher body mass index, and diabetes. In addition, Blacks (IRR = 1.96, 95% C.I.: 1.43–2.69) and Hispanics (IRR = 3.38, 95% C.I.: 2.46–4.66) had higher COVID‐19 mortality relative to Whites. Patients with lower educational attainment, high school or less (IRR = 1.93, 95% C.I.: 1.19–3.12, relative to post‐graduate), Medicaid insurance (IRR = 1.73, 95% C.I.: 1.26–2.39, relative to private), residence in most distressed neighborhoods (fifth quintile IRR = 1.93, 95% C.I.: 1.28–2.90, relative to first quintile), and most urban and most rural had higher adjusted rates of COVID‐19 mortality. Among kidney transplant candidates in the United States, social determinants of health in addition to demographic and clinical factors are significantly associated with COVID‐19 mortality.

Understanding the determinants of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines: a challenge in a fast-moving situation

Understanding the determinants of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines: a challenge in a fast-moving situation

Challenges of the Vegetable Production and Distribution Industry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Recently, there are many concerns about the health consequences of COVID-19 as well as the global food supply. For this reason, assessing the impact of pandemic effects on the vegetable chain is critical to set policies to ensure an adequate supply of vegetables. Methods: In this study, major centers of processing and distribution of vegetables in various areas of Tehran have been studied. In the first phase, the status of the hygienic behavior of 192 staff of these centers in the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the second phase, the challenges of these centers were assessed. Data were collected through completing questionnaires, observation, and interviews with staff and statistically analyzed using SPSS. The relationship between independent (demographic characteristics) and dependent (behavior) variables were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: In the first quantitative phase, up to 51% of the respondents had a good hygienic behavior towards various aspects of the preventive measures. The behavioral mean scores were significantly related to educational level (p &lt;0.05). Findings of the qualitative phase revealed that the outbreak of COVID-19, quarantine, and social distance measures to prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus have not disrupted the vegetable supply chain, but it was observed that vegetable distributors and manufacturers have suffered the most from declining sales and after that, due to price volatility during the epidemic which is mostly due to lock-down. Conclusion: In general, the current economic situation may seriously impair the livelihoods of disadvantaged groups. Although most staff at vegetable centers follow the safety measures of using masks, these results show that this part of the population that is in continuous contact with different persons have not taken COVID-19 disease seriously.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Welfare of Animals in Australia.

We report on the various responses in Australia during 2020 to minimize negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the welfare of animals. Most organizations and individuals with animals under their care had emergency preparedness plans in place for various scenarios; however, the restrictions on human movement to contain the spread of COVID-19, coupled with the economic impact and the health effects of COVID-19 on the skilled workforce, constituted a new threat to animal welfare for which there was no blueprint. The spontaneous formation of a national, multisectoral response group on animal welfare, consisting of more than 34 organizations with animals under their care, facilitated information flow during the crisis, which helped to mitigate some of the shocks to different organizations and to ensure continuity of care for animals during the pandemic. We conclude that animal welfare is a shared responsibility, and accordingly, a multisectoral approach to animal welfare during a crisis is required. Our experience demonstrates that to safeguard animal welfare during crises, nations should consider the following: a national risk assessment, clear communication channels, contingency plans for animal welfare, a crisis response group, and support systems for animal care providers. Our findings and recommendations from the Australian context may inform other countries to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised during the course of unpredictable events.

Children and COVID-19

Children are not the face of this pan‌demic. But they risk being among its big‌gest victims. While they have thankfully been largely spared from the direct health effects of COVID-19 - at least to date – the crisis is having a profound effect on their wellbeing. All children, of all ages, and in all countries, are being affected, in particular by the socio-economic impacts and, in some cases, by mitigation measures that may inadvertently do more harm than good. This is a universal crisis and, for some children, the impact will be lifelong. Moreover, the harmful effects of this pandemic will not be distributed equally. They are expected to be most damag‌ing for children in the poorest countries, and in the poorest neighborhoods, and for those in already disadvan‌taged or vulnerable situations. This is an unprecedented crisis and it presents unprecedented risks to the rights and safety and development of the world’s children. Those risks can only be mitigated through unprecedented international solidarity for children and humanity.