According to a group of seven prominent figures, led by Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema, the mental consequences of the lockdown for young people are no longer justified. “The mental and social impact of the lockdown is severe for young people and also affects the well-being of our society,” they write in a manifesto.
They come with a call: the corona measures must be more focused on the social consequences of the pandemic. In the coming weeks and months, the cabinet must dare to take “responsible risks”.
“I recognize the need for the curfew and other measures, but when we consider granting more freedoms, think first of young people,” says Halsema. News hour. “We know that the young generation is suffering the most at the moment.”
After quick test to school
In the manifesto, the prominent figures argue, among other things, for extending the age limit for organized outdoor sports to 25 years. Now that is eighteen years. “Figures show that young people up to at least 25 years of age suffer greatly from isolation.”
They also want to give young people priority to do rapid tests ‘at the gate’. “Then schools, community centers, study halls and sports clubs can be reopened for them with evidence of negative test results.”
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“In the public debate, young people are compared to the elderly and the vulnerable: they rarely get sick while they are contagious,” write the seven. “Young people then draw the short straw to combat the coronavirus as effectively as possible.”
They find the consequences of the crisis for young people alarming. “According to I&O research, 69 percent of young people regularly feel lonely. One third of all students now give life a fail.”
We spoke with student Ali a few times last year. He hardly has any physical lessons. Little motivates him anymore, and that causes depressive thoughts:
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‘I’m afraid of depression, I already have trouble getting out of bed before class’
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According to the authors, young people lack lobbying power. Such as those of general practitioners, IC physicians and other groups who have profoundly influenced vaccination policy in recent weeks. “That’s why we’re pleading for them right now.”
“If it turns out that the vaccine not only protects the recipient against the virus, but also prevents its spread, it is good and logical to vaccinate young people first in the next phase.”
‘Young people’s lifestyle now prohibited’
The government sees young people as walking corona risks, see the seven signatories. “The lifestyle that comes with being young – going out, meeting new and strange people, sitting close together, sleeping together – is at the top of the list of prohibited corona behavior.”
“Mental and mental unhealthiness, and insufficient exercise will then have too little specific weight. We no longer consider that justified.”
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