Webinar of interest? The human side of how COVID is impacting our Children, Families, and Communities

• The amount of children that are without childcare, or how COVID is collapsing the childcare industry, how many have closed in CA? 
• Statistics on the amount of child abuse cases or lack of due to not having eyes and protection around the child. Teachers are normally the leading reporters of suspected abuse, calling for help when they notice bruises or signs of hunger or mistreatment at home. Now, teachers get a glimpse of their students only in a virtual classroom, if they see them at all. And while much of the city has been staying indoors and “staying safe,” for many children from troubled homes, the coronavirus pandemic has confined them to the most dangerous place they can be. Same with clinics during wellness checks that mostly are not happening. 
•   How many children are sitting at home alone? Caught COVID? Or lost a parent to COVID? How many teens have committed suicide due to lack of social connections. Or adults?  
•   How is this affecting the lack of services such as WIC appointments, food services at school, are families going hungry? How many families are now homeless due to losing their job because of COVID? How many communities are suffering and even more impoverished or going in that direction? How are California's families suffering?  
•    How can we protect our children and make schools equitable again? Distance Learning is not equitable or sustainable. And is directly impacting our children, families, and communities. ACE scores are rising for many, how can we talk about this? And prevention.   
• How many children are afraid to give hugs or not receiving any affection or attention right now?

I was sitting in a great webinar and a Doctor of a clinic in Long Beach shared how a child came in to have their feeding tube changed. The clinic was not able to see the patient in the clinic so they had to attempt to do on the bed of a truck. The change was unsuccessful and the child had to be taken to the ER. If the child had been able to be seen and have the care they need, this child/family/staff would not have had to endure that trauma. We need to hear more stories like this.