Impact of the corona virus pandemic on students

The corona virus pandemic has become a major issue and a common topic discussed all over the world. Being a new viral disease with no vaccines yet, it has affected millions of people. From the isolation, to the lock downs, the social distancing, businesses being closed down and the decrease of the global economy, we can surely see that the pandemic has greatly impacted our day to day pattern of living. With the pandemic affecting people’s lives, we cannot over look the fact that youths in particular students have been affected during this period of pandemic.

corona virus

Positive and negative impacts

The corona virus pandemic has caused mainly negative effects or impacts in the lives of individuals all around the world but has also brought about positive effects like a cleaner environment and it has created time for people to think and come up with creative and innovative ideas. According to Ehimen osahon, a 300-level student of Benson Idahosa University who currently resides in Abuja, Nigeria explains how the corona virus pandemic has impacted her life as a student stating that it has affected her positively and negatively. When asked to give the negative aspect, she said “living in Abuja where the spread of covid-19 is more rampant than some states, the social distancing and other factors had lead to this fear in me. The fear of the virus and who has it or not and also the fluctuation of prices for a student. The money one has is not enough to be able to manage themselves because goods in the market are increasing at a high rate”. But she also pointed out the positive aspect stating that due to her part time job, there has not been room for boredom and she is doing well this the midst of the crisis.

Ehimen osahon

 Impact on education

The covid-19 has directly affected the educational system. 60% of the world’s student population has been affected during this period due to the fact that many schools and students are not capable or do not have the means to access online teaching. It is no strange news that universities and schools have been put on a halt, tests and examinations postponed with on official date. However, some students who have the means have taken their studies or lectures to the internet (online). According to Ehimen osahon, she stated that her school has been able to scale through during this pandemic by providing online classes. She also added that she has written online examinations and done with the academic section.

interview with Ehimen osahon

“Students can get affected psychologically if their parents are involved”

This statement by Dr. Andrew asan ate, an award winning journalist who is the senior lecture/head of department of mass communication, Edo University Iyamho, Edo state and also the sub dean, faculty of art, management and social sciences of the same university explains his view on how the corona virus pandemic has impacted the lives of students. He further stated that “Some parents businesses have been shut down; some their salaries have been affected. That tension can have a bearing effect on the lives of students. The same could be said for students that are idol or don’t attend online classes”.

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Medical perspective

 Doctor Obidimma Tobechukwu Nelson, a general practitioner who works in a Lagos hospital explains what students should do to protect themselves from the corona virus pandemic. According to Doctor nelson, he stated that “The corona virus pandemic can be difficult to apprehend in a student environment because a student environment is a very sociable environment but never the less it can be apprehended as a body. Students must therefore uphold all safety precautions like the use of disinfectants, hand sanitizers, face masks, complying to the social distancing and the two meters apart rule”. He also stated that this guideline should not only be left in the hands of students but also should also be the responsibility of the regulatory bodies like the tertiary institutes and others.

Responsibility of the people 

During this pandemic, we are faced with countless of problems such as the lack of food, financial instability, conflict within families, economical and even political problems but the ones that find it harder are the people who have fallen sick with the virus and professional healthcare workers who risk their lives and face lots of difficulties in maintain the quality of the healthcare. Therefore, all individuals have a responsibility to stay safe, adhere to all the safety precautions give by healthcare workers and hope for change or a better situation.