‘We are going to be okay’: A Child’s Advice for the Pandemic

[Credit: Visura]

(STOWE, Vt.) —As a reporter for The Click, I sat down with our six-year-old son Gabo to talk about his perspective on how life has changed since the pandemic. From leaving the city to a more rural area, wearing masks, learning how to social distance, and getting used to homeschooling, Gabo reflects on these past few months and offers some advice to parents, other kids, and the leaders of the world.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

The Click: What is COVID-19?
Gabo: Covid-19 is a virus that has been going on for a few months now and is affecting people in the world.  

What does that mean to you?
Gabo: It means that we have to stay safe and stay inside a lot. We have to wear masks and social distance six feet. And you do not get to see all your friends like we used to before COVID started.

What do you love to do for play these days?
Gabo: I love to mountain bike, and play LEGO and dominoes. I also love playing with my dad.

Did you see your father a lot before COVID?
Gabo: No because he went to the office for the whole day, and I had to go to school. 

Are you happy that your father has to work from home?
Gabo: Yes, but I am not happy about COVID-19.

Are you seeing friends?
Gabo: Sometimes, but not a lot. I play with a few friends, maybe around three to five friends.

Are you wearing a mask when you are playing with your friends?
Gabo: We wear masks most of the time, except when we are eating, drinking water, and actually mountain biking.

Stay safe, and stay healthy. Wear a mask.
When we see you wear a mask that is a signal that you are trying to stay safe, and that you want everyone to stay safe.

—Gabo’s advice for world leaders

Where do you play with your friends?
Gabo: We play outside, and we mountain bike a lot. We go on hikes too. It feels really comfortable when you can be outside with nature. 

Since you are homeschooling this year, will you miss public school?
Gabo: I will miss being able to play with my friends. Also, when I am at school I know I am not home, and it feels like I am in school, school. At home, I always feel comfortable. It’s good for me to be in other places instead of just at my house all the time.

What advice do you have for parents?
Gabo: Your kids will be okay. We are going to be okay. Just tell them [kids] they have to wear a mask at all possible times unless they are biking. Keep your distance. Take this time to spend time with your kids when you are free of work because when you go back to work, you will not have the time to play with your kids. You will miss it. Plus, our parents are our friends now because we cannot hangout with friends. So, take breaks from work to relax and spend time with us. We get sad if you cannot play with us, and we feel really happy when you do because it is a lot of fun to play with our parents. 

Remember to love your kids a lot, and care about them. 

What advice do you have for other kids?
Gabo: Spend a little time alone when your parents are working. You don’t have to be alone by yourself. Be with them while they are working but play with your toys. This way, you are not alone, you can still play and be with your parents. 

What advice do you have for the leaders of our world?
Gabo: Stay safe, and stay healthy. Wear a mask. When we see you wear a mask that is a signal that you are trying to stay safe, and that you want everyone to stay safe.