The children-only press conferences helping to explain the enormity of COVID-19: ‘It’s OK to be scared’
Two female prime ministers, including New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern, are leading the way.
If, like many parents, you’re struggling to find the right words to talk to your children about the coronavirus pandemic, two of the world’s female prime ministers may be able to help.
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and her cabinet ministers held a kids-only press conference about the COVID-19 disease on Monday March 16 in an effort to answer all the big questions from little ones and to address that for now, our lives had changed and what we are facing is scary.
“Because of the coronavirus, our lives have become very different, both for adults and children,” Erna Solberg said.
“I know that many children think it is scary, and I understand that very well. It’s ok to be scared when so many things happen at the same time.”
“Because of the coronavirus, our lives have become very different, both for adults and children,” says Norway’s Prime Minister, Erna Solberg.
When one child asked, ‘Why am I not allowed to celebrate my birthday?’, Norway’s minister for family and children, who joined the prime minister for the press conference, explained the importance of social distancing.
“It’s because many people should not be gathered in order to prevent people from being infected,” said Kjell Ingolf Ropstad.
“You can be a bit extra creative and try to celebrate via FaceTime or think of another way to celebrate that you think is good.”
Norway’s PM also added her piece of advice for kids celebrating their birthdays.
“If someone in the class has a birthday, all the others should call and sing a birthday song, individually, to have something to do,” she said.
Following Norway’s lead, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern also held a press conference for children.
Joining Jacinda at the kids-only press conference held on Wednesday, March 18 was scientist Dr Michelle Dickinson, who specialises in science communication for kids and Dr Siouxsie Wiles.
Explaining the reasons why she held the press conference for children, Jacinda took to her Instagram page, writing:
“Kids ask a lot of questions most of the time, and right now they understandably have plenty about Covid-19. That’s why we put on a press conference just for children and their questions.”
“I hope it will be a useful resource to help answer some of the questions from the young people in your life.”
Last week Dr Dickinson posted a video to Instagram explaining how soap works to destroy the virus.
“I’m all about what I can do to use my skills to contribute to helping,” Dickinson said, describing the children’s press conference today as “a total success”.
“The kids just had questions about the virus, how they are transmitted, how to keep their grandparents safe, how does soap work.”
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