LettersUphold rights of children, families during Hong Kong’s pandemic fight

Readers discuss the state of children’s rights in Hong Kong, the need for in-person mass testing and why spending vouchers must be linked to vaccinations

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A child wearing a protective suit walks with an adult in Mong Kok on February 28. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 11:30am, 2 Mar 2022

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As the Hong Kong government puts forward more measures in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19, the perspective of child rights remains overlooked. Every aspect of children’s lives has been seriously disrupted during the pandemic, resulting in long-term negative impacts on their physical and mental health.

The announcement of a long list of new measures in recent days has further disrupted their lives, school schedules and activities. This is particularly true for children with disabilities, special educational needs and those who have mental and emotional illnesses.

While we understand the challenges on the front line in tackling the current wave of the pandemic, research findings as well as medical and psychological experts in Hong Kong and abroad clearly indicate that children can be traumatised by enforced separation from parents and being hospitalised alone. This can cause children to suffer from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other behavioural symptoms.

However, recent reports indicate many hospitals can no longer allow parents to stay with sick children. This has caused devastating anxiety for both parents and children.

The United Nations notes, “The Covid-19 pandemic has devastating … consequences for children and their rights.” It is especially so in places with mandatory stay-at-home, lockdown or confinement measures and for children in vulnerable situations.

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Readers discuss the state of children’s rights in Hong Kong, the need for in-person mass testing and why spending vouchers must be linked to vaccinations

Readers discuss the state of children’s rights in Hong Kong, the need for in-person mass testing and why spending vouchers must be linked to vaccinations