Children have so far largely escaped the most severe symptoms of the coronavirus but the social and economic impact "is potentially catastrophic for millions of children,'' according to a U.N. report launched Thursday. "All children, of all ages, and in all countries, are affected,'' it said. The U.N. chief said the lives of children "are being totally upended'' by the virus that emerged in China. On education, the report said 188 countries have imposed countrywide school closures, affecting more than 1.5 billion children and young people. And it said nearly 369 million children in 143 countries who rely on school meals for daily nutrition must now look to other sources.

Source: The Standard April 17, 2020 03:56 UTC