As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, the effect on America’s children has been largely overlooked. However, according to a recent episode of Steve Bannon’s War Room: Pandemic, if we do nothing to address the situation, our children will undoubtedly be left behind.
The pandemic has led to widespread school closures, leaving millions of children without access to in-person education. While virtual learning has been implemented to mitigate the effects of school closures, the reality is that it has not been a panacea. Many students lack access to stable internet connections or adequate technology, leaving them unable to participate fully in online educational programs.
What’s more, virtual learning often cannot substitute for the face-to-face interactions that children have with their peers and teachers. The socialization that comes from attending school is critical for children’s emotional development, and the isolation that many students are experiencing could have long-term effects on their mental health.
Even when schools eventually reopen, the pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing disparities in the American education system. Students from low-income backgrounds and students of color are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to lack access to reliable technology and resources at home.
Furthermore, the pandemic has highlighted the decades-long underfunding of America’s public schools. The National Education Association reports that the country’s schools are currently experiencing a funding shortfall of about $46 billion, a gap that will only widen as state and local budgets are decimated by the economic effects of the pandemic.
The bottom line is that if we do nothing to address the impact of COVID-19 on our children’s education, we will be leaving an entire generation behind. The future of our country depends on the ability of our children to receive a quality education, and it is our responsibility as citizens to ensure that they have access to one.
Fortunately, there are steps that we can take to help American children during this crisis. We can call on our elected officials to prioritize funding for education in pandemic relief packages, and we can donate to organizations that work to provide resources to underserved communities. We can also speak out about the importance of prioritizing our children’s education during this time.
In short, we must do something to address the impact of COVID-19 on America’s children. Failure to act could have devastating consequences for our country’s future. As Steve Bannon stated on his show, “we have a moral obligation to make sure that our children do not become the casualties of this pandemic.”
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