Detrimental Impact of COVID-19 On Households

A new study confirms the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on households – Executive Director of CAPRI, Damien King, shares more on the findings.

“In the midst of this situation that has so many impacts and for such a long time, it is really so appropriate that we have identified that children stand to be really the most affected and we really need to pay particular attention to them.”

The study is representative of over 500 households in Jamaica with children. It also found that one in every two households reported only having enough income or savings to sustain them for two or less weeks. Also, just under 45% of households experienced food shortages due to COVID-19 restrictions. Most households had to cope with food shortages by eating smaller meals (74%) or eating fewer meals per day (66%). 

With regards to education, the UNCIEF/CAPRI study finds that levels of engagement in distance learning during school closures and remote teaching vary by age group.

Public Relations Officer for the National Secondary Students Council, Ree-Anna Robinson has researched the issue. She says, “according to UNICEF U-Report Distance Learning poll thirty-two percent (32%) of students had access every day, fifty-six percent (56%) had some days and eleven percent (11%) had no access at all. This speaks volumes to me as a majority of students are unable to constantly access their classes and their teachers.”

Executive Director of CAPRI, Damien King says the study should aid in planning the way forward.

“This research is going to help us identify in what direction we should move in terms of managing and mitigating of the effect on children.”