Quarantining in abusive households
Some people are fortunate enough to say that the worst thing the pandemic brought them was extreme boredom. But for others, the closures of schools posed a different threat; not every student had a good home life to come back to. For some, school was an escape from the emotional neglect and/or physical abuse they were facing at home, and millions of children relied on school lunch to provide them with their daily meal. Additionally, there was a significant global uptick in domestic violence for people of all ages. The lack of choices as to where one could quarantine, the increase in financial and emotional stress, and the decreased connection to the outside world created a breeding ground for abuse within the home. The effects of COVID-19 span far beyond physical illness, as this life altering and traumatic era was something no one had ever experienced before. Fortunately, with quarantine restrictions now lifted, some of the hidden effects of the pandemic can be solved, but ultimately COVID-19 will forever leave its mark on society.
Sources: National Library of Medicine, Council of Criminal Justice