How has the pandemic affected your family and community? — Assembly

In Assembly’s “Around the world” series, girls sound off on the topics that matter to them, from the companies they’re dreaming up to the issues they wished more leaders talked about.

Want to share your thoughts? Use our submission form to be featured in a future issue!

“This pandemic has set off a series of devastating impacts on my community. Those close to me, especially several family members, have been laid off and many are unable to run their businesses efficiently and have tried to adapt their business strategies to keep their businesses running, all while working from home. I can only hope that with the current measures being taken and us practicing social distancing, we will be able to overcome this unexpected and trying time soon.”

— Saranya, 17, Malaysia

“I live in the biggest city of Brazil and my town is the one with more cases of the new virus. My parents are both teachers so they are teaching online classes and it's very different for all of us because we have to share notebooks and earphones, etc. Also, in my city there are still some people going out and not respecting the quarantine but as it is an enormous city, the minority who are still going out means a lot of people on the streets.”

— Luiza, 17, Brazil

“One of the major effects of the pandemic that my family faced and that shook me was that this summer all of my family had a flight to Canada to see my elder sister who studies there. We were going to see her for the first time after a year apart and celebrate Ramzan Eid together but because of the pandemic, our flights were cancelled. It’s also very difficult to transfer her money as our country is in a complete lockdown.”

— Soha, 14, India

“The pandemic has impacted, not just my family, but my whole community. I know many people whose health has been affected by the coronavirus, including some of my friends as well as people in my building. While many despise being quarantined, it helps families bond and spend more time together. My family, specifically, has become closer by playing board games and watching movies together. Additionally, I live in an area near a lot of hospitals, so people are still going to work every day. I think that the stress and the workload for the hospital workers makes them tired and anxious. Also at 7 p.m. every day, a lot of people stand on their balcony and clap for the health care workers. I think the hardest problem for everyone is not being able to go outside and interact with their friends AND co-workers. I think quarantine has made the use of technology very much needed as people try to work from home or talk with their friends. I know that I, as an individual, set up Zoom calls and FaceTime with my friends and family so that I can stay in touch with them.”

— Anya, 12, U.S.