As the new coronavirus continues to spread all over the world, children have witnessed in a relatively short time unprecedented sudden and prolonged closure of schools, switching to an online learning system, and major change in their daily lifestyle outdoors. Many of them look for opportunities to describe their experience and their aspirations for the future. From this standpoint, children express in this article their opinions and present their experiences in the time of the coronavirus. They share with us their knowledge, which we support with additional information that we ask parents to make sure that their children read for more clarification as well.
What do you know about the coronavirus?
Gamila, 4 years old (Cairo)
"It appeared because people were not civilized, ate unhealthy foods, cut down trees1, and killed good animals."
Basma Rifaat, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"A dangerous virus1 that causes illness2."
Salma Aslam, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"A virus that causes illness 2."
Layla Ahmed, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"Among its names COVID-192."
Adam Gerald, 6 years old (Alexandria)
"It emerged because some people living faraway ate animals1."
Mariam Mathio, 6 years old (Ismailia)
"It is a harmful and deadly virus 2."
Asser Fathy, 7 years old (Alexandria)
"People get sick because of it2."
Mahmoud Islam, 8 years old (Alexandria)
"It spreads in the world rapidly3."
Adel Rafik, 10 years (Alexandria)
"It is a dangerous virus 2."
Omar Khaled, 12 years (Alexandria)
"First, the virus was transmitted from one animal to another, until humans interfered and dealt directly with the infected animals. Later, the virus has become able to transmit from one animal to another, from animals to humans, and from one person to another. It was able to spread in the air and mutate rapidly1."
Nour Alaa Eldin, 12 years old (Alexandria)
“The virus started at Wuhan, China, and it was first identified in 19861. Animals were the first to get infected, such as bats and pangolins—pangolins are very special mammals that have scales. Anyways, the virus spread from animals to humans due to direct contact between them, or by consuming animals, and often through air; actually, it is always through the air, then it spread from one person to another3."
Can you describe the coronavirus?
Elaina Gerald, 3 years old (Alexandria)
"It looks like a fan4."
Murad Ehab, 3 years old (Alexandria)
"It is a huge beast and I will hit4."
Zaid Gerald, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"It is a red circle surrounded by knives4."
Talia Tamer, 6 years old (Alexandria)
"It is a tiny monster that we cannot see4."
Abdullah Mohamed, 12 years old (Cairo)
"It is small-sized4."
Nour Alaa Eldin, 12 years old (Alexandria)
“It looks like a ball full of thorns4, and it was named after the word "crown".
What are the symptoms of the coronavirus? How is it transmitted?
Salma Aslam, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"Severe coughing2."
Talia Tamer, 6 years old (Alexandria)
"Coughing2."
Mariam Mathio, 6 years old (Ismailia)
"The virus enters our bodies when we go out and touch our eyes or mouth3. If we get infected, we could be unable to speak or move2."
Laura Omar, 8 years old (Alexandria)
"It may cause death2."
Mariam Mohamed, 8 years old (Cairo)
"It is a contagious virus and it could be difficult to recover from2. If we do not wash our hands and adhere to prevention measures, we can get infected3."
Aysel Fathy, 9 years old (Alexandria)
"Coughing, sneezing, and fever, and it spreads faster among children and the elderly 2."
Ghadir Ihab, 9 years old (Alexandria)
"It is a dangerous virus that may lead to death 2."
Nezar Khaled, 9 years old (Alexandria)
"It is transmitted by touch and through the air3, and is deadly2."
Farida Islam, 10 years old (Alexandria)
"It Infects the respiratory system, and the infection is transmitted through droplets3."
Adham Fathy, 11 years old (Alexandria)
"It is transmitted among people and may cause death2."
Abdullah Mohamed, 12 years old (Cairo)
"It enters the body through air and when people share common stuff. It is transmitted through coughing and sneezing3."
Omar Khaled, 12 years (Alexandria)
"It causes breathing issues for some people2."
Haya Hany, 12 years old (Alexandria)
"It is very dangerous virus that infects adults and children, and it does not lead to death when the immunity is strong2."
Malak Abdelrahman, 13 years old (Alexandria)
"A dangerous disease and its infection rate is higher than any other virus. It causes a sore throat and fever, and when the symptoms become severe, the patient faces difficulties in breathing due to a weak immunity or chronic diseases, and sometimes the patient does not show any symptoms at all2."
Haya Mohamed, 13 years old (Alexandria)
"The symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, and cold, all of which requires care and protection2."
How can we prevent infection?
Elaina Gerald, 3 years old (Alexandria)
"Always washing hands and face with soap and water3."
Murad Ehab, 3 years old (Alexandria)
"Washing hands and face with soap, and changing clothes as soon as we return home3."
Layla Ahmed, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"Wearing face masks and hand gloves when we go out3."
Basma Rifaat, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"Staying home and wearing face masks when we go out3."
Zaid Gerald, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"The coronavirus can be found in food3, and that is why we wash sweets before eating them. When we go out, we wear face masks and hand gloves, and do not touch the wall and do not shake hands with anyone."
Adam Gerald, 6 years old (Alexandria)
"Keeping the house clean using soap and disinfectants, and washing our sweets very well before eating them3."
Mariam Mathio, 6 years old (Ismailia)
"Washing our hands with soap and water upon returning home3."
Hamza Aslam, 8 years old (Alexandria)
"Being careful, washing hands, using disinfectants, and wearing face masks3."
Mariam Mohamed, 8 years old (Cairo)
“Wearing a face mask when leaving the house, using disinfectants and paper tissues, and not approaching anyone; whether infected or not3. I also advise adults not to put a face mask over the faces of their infants, and just to keep them away from others."
Nezar Khaled, 9 years old (Alexandria)
"Do not go out unless necessary3."
Adel Rafik, 10 years (Alexandria)
"Staying home3."
Adham Fathy, 11 years old (Alexandria)
"Washing hands well with soap and water for twenty seconds, or sing the "Happy Birthday to You" song twice3."
Abdullah Mohamed, 12 years old (Cairo)
"Washing hands daily with soap and water to avoid infection, wearing a face mask in crowded places, and using alcohol after touching objects3. When we feel any of the symptoms of the disease, we stay home and avoid visits."
Omar Khaled, 12 years (Alexandria)
"Staying home3 and following the instructions without getting board."
Haya Hany, 12 years old (Alexandria)
"Staying home and eating healthy food3."
How did you benefit from this experience? What is the most thing you look forward to do when this pandemic is completely over?
Murad Ehab, 3 years old (Alexandria)
"By playing with my toys, watching TV and videos. "I look forward to visiting and playing with my friends, and having a picnic”
Gamila, 4 years old (Cairo)
"I enjoyed listening to my mother's stories, and I advise my friends to spend more time with family and to exercise"
Basma Rifaat, 5 years old (Alexandria)
“I was glad to stay at home with my brother, and I advise my friends to exercise and communicate with their colleagues. I look forward to going to the club and the places I love, and play."
Zaid Gerald, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"When this pandemic is over, I will not wash my sweets' bags with soap before eating 3."
Salma Aslam, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"When the pandemic is over, I will visit and play with my friend, and go to school."
Layla Ahmed, 5 years old (Alexandria)
"I am glad to stay at home, but I am worried about going to school. When the pandemic is over, I would like to go to the park and travel."
Adam Gerald, 6 years old (Alexandria)
“Playing with blocks, watching cartoon films, and observing the grasshoppers on the plants my mother grows on the balcony. When the pandemic is over, I will go to school."
Talia Tamer, 6 years old (Alexandria)
“I advise my friends to play with family, or to play entertaining individual games, and to use the Internet for useful things. When the pandemic is over, I will go to the club and will not wear a face mask3."
Mariam Mathio, 6 years old (Ismailia)
“I am glad to stay at home. I practice coloring, and study English and mathematics. When the pandemic is over, I will swing, run, and play"
Asser Fathy, 7 years old (Alexandria)
"Despite the pandemic, I do not feel anxious. I advise my friends to take advantage of their time at home, sleep well, and play."
Hamza Aslam, 8 years old (Alexandria)
“I am glad that I am still communicating with my friends and playing with them remotely. When the pandemic is over, I will visit my friends and go to the club."
Laura Omar, 8 years old (Alexandria)
"Drawing and enjoying time."
Mahmoud Islam, 8 years old (Alexandria)
"Practicing basic gardening at home, drawing, coloring, and playing." "When the pandemic is over, I will play with my friends and travel."
Mariam Mohamed, 8 years old (Cairo)
“In the beginning, it felt like normal, and that it would end in a few days and I would return to school, but as time passed I became bored. When the pandemic is over, I will go the mall, the zoo, and visit my relatives."
Aysel Fathy, 9 years old (Alexandria)
"I will picnic in public places."
Ghadir Ihab, 9 years old (Alexandria)
“I was bored, but I tried to occupy my time by learning new things online. I advise my friends to occupy their spare time with useful things, such as practicing hobbies and developing talents. Also to use YouTube to learn new skills, such as photo editing on Photoshop. When the pandemic is over, I will apply to a membership at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and visit it regularly. I will also go to entertaining places, such as parks, museums, and cinemas."
Nezar Khaled, 9 years old (Alexandria)
“I was happy, but now I am upset. When the pandemic is over, I would like to go back to school.”
Adel Rafik, 10 years (Alexandria)
“I advise my friends to stay at home, and we will play together when the pandemic is over.”
Farida Islam, 10 years old (Alexandria)
“I was worried of the quarantine though it prevents virus transmission, but I advise friends to read and exercise. When the pandemic is over, I will travel, enjoy the summer, and play with my friends.”
Adham Fathy, 11 years old (Alexandria)
“I would like to do a lot of things when the pandemic is over, such as picnicking in public places, playing at the club, and going to the beach”.
Abdullah Mohamed, 12 years old (Cairo)
“If schools and public places were not closed, the virus would have been spreading more quickly. However, staying at home is bad, too; we have gained a lot of weight because we no longer exercise. I advise my friends, thus, to exercise daily, study and do not spend all day on computer. It is better to read books and search for useful information. When the pandemic is over, I will walk in parks and at shopping centers, and also visit ancient monuments.”
Omar Khaled, 12 years (Alexandria)
“At first, I was upset, but I got used to it. I pray that the pandemic ends soon, because I would like to go out with my friends, go to the park and cinema, and also visit places that I have not visited yet."
Nour Alaa Eldin, 12 years old (Alexandria)
“Despite not seeing other family members and staying at home for long periods, the virus still has many advantages, such as spending longer times with family, resting from schools and exercising—even for a while—and staying safe, which is essential. I really hate this virus; however, my little family and I have enjoyed somehow the quarantine. We have spent a lot of time together, during which I have learned how to cook, and improved my drawing skills and my English, too. I have read a lot of books, including two novels by Roald Dahl, and made many handicrafts; I have even made my own disinfectant. When the pandemic is over, I will visit my extended family and spend the whole day together, and meet and go out with my friends as well.”
Haya Hany, 12 years old (Alexandria)
“Home quarantine aims to preserve our health from infection, but I was afraid. During that time, I have learnt new drawing and coloring techniques, and to prepare easy meals without adults help. When the pandemic is over, I will go back to school, hang out with my friends, and exercise.”
Malak Abdelrahman, 13 years old (Alexandria)
“Precautionary measures were imposed to prevent the virus from spreading and causing more deaths. It was the right decision to save a lot of people from infection. I advise my friends, thus, to benefit from that time in developing their hobbies, such as drawing and playing musical instruments, or in reading books and learning various information on historical figures and in various fields. When the pandemic is over, I will go out and meet friends and relatives.”
Haya Mohamed, 13 years old (Alexandria)
“The coronavirus has turned the world upside down in four months only! But I felt that it will be over as any other disease. That is why I advise children to engage in artistic activities, cook new meals with their family, exercise, and have a relaxing time. I also advise them to read books on science, forests, and space, and do whatever they wish. When the pandemic is over, I will go out and enjoy life.”
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1The world has witnessed numerous disasters, either human-made, such as the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986, or natural, such as the Australian bushfire crisis in 2020. In both cases, humans have always been able to overcome them and save the world, thanks to science. Although this type of disease has been known for nearly sixty years, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) strain is new. As far as we know, it emerged as a result of human intervention in animal life. We call it a dangerous virus, because people have never experienced it before; however, scientists are searching for effective solutions that can erradicate it.
2The body's response to the virus varies from one person to another. There are many cases that did not show any symptoms, and many have already recovered. From physicians' observations, the virus does not infect all people severely; however, few people with major health problems suffer. Thus, we should pay attention to boosting our immunity, regardless of age.
3The coronavirus spreads in the air as droplets transmits from an infected person to another, while sneezing, for example. If these droplets fall on any surface, such as food or clothing, it settles on them for a few hours, and once we touch them, they can transmit it to us, and it spreads faster. This is why we always make sure to wear a face-mask when going out, disinfect surfaces before touching them, wash food well before eating it, and change our clothes upon returning home. We have to maintain these healthy habits as well even when the pandemic is over, to keep ourselves healthy from any germs.
4Despite our different fantasies about the shape of the coronavirus, we cannot see it directly with our eyes, and the common visualization in the media is a model of the virus shape under specialized magnifying lenses. We wash our hands after touching spicy food to prevent its effect, which we do not see on our hands, and if our hands accidentally touch our face, it hurts us. Similarly, we always make sure to wash our hands and face to prevent this little hidden virus from hurting us.
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In conclusion, we would like to thank all the children who contributed to this article. We support their reflection and imagination, which deserve all appreciation and respect. We hope that they will always use science for a better future for upcoming generations as well.
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