The novel coronavirus pandemic has shaped the way we live for the immediate future (and probably the next few years). The economic toll has been stark, with thousands and thousands experiencing furloughs and layoffs. Some of your favorite businesses and local restaurants have been closed for months with many facing the threat of bankruptcy or permanent closure. Needless to say, the way we conduct our daily lives has been radically altered.

But life goes on, completely changed.

Students of all ages have been deeply affected, from kindergarten to college.

Heartbreaking photos of recently reopened grade schools have surfaced across the globe, depicting children adapting to social distancing measures.

Municipalities around the globe have taken careful measures in reopening restaurants, coffee shops, and some schools.

Numerous preschools and elementary schools have reopened in France within the last few weeks. Strict social distancing guidelines allow up to 10 students per classroom in preschools and up to 15 in elementary schools. Students have been instructed to wear face masks or protective visors.

In-class attendance currently isn’t compulsory, left to the parents’ discretion. Recent Parisian polls have indicated that the majority of parents actually prefer keeping kids out of class until at least September.

It’s hard to blame them.

Many parents, rightfully so, have been wondering whether it’s a good idea to even bring children back to school at all this year. Some have even speculated that the social distancing measures could have lasting psychological and developmental effects on students, especially the young.

Frenchman Lionel Top recently posted the following on Twitter:

Les enfants font leur rentrée aujourd’hui (un petite partie d’entre-eux plutôt). Ambiance très étrange, voire dérangeante…

Which, according to Google translate, roughly means:

“The kids are coming back today (a small part of them instead). Very strange, even disturbing atmosphere …”

Lionel continues,

“The children play, dance, jump, laugh together… but from this square. From what we have seen, they do not view it as a punishment.”

Honestly, socially distant recess looks miserable.

The coronavirus will continue to undoubtedly impact millions of children’s education. It’s especially difficult to offer remote learning services to children under 10. Unfortunately, person-to-person education and interaction simply cannot be replaced.

Historian Laurence De Cock recently stated,

“I can’t get over this. This image is heartbreaking. We can’t call this ‘school'”

Another added,

“Children will be more traumatized to resume in these conditions than to stay home.”

Austen Allred stated the following on Twitter,

“Primary schools in France have resumed with children having been assigned “play spaces,” and this is hands down the most dystopian thing I’ve ever seen.”

Schools across the globe have different social distancing measures in place according to federal and local regulations.

Chinese classrooms have taken very strict measures to prevent viral spread. Some schools have stations for disinfection and sanitation, while some even take students’ temperatures prior to entering campus.

Take the following Chinese classroom, for example. Each desk’s outfitted with glass partitions with students required to wear masks.

It’s almost dystopian.

Although many students aren’t exactly old enough to truly process what’s happening, perhaps one day they’ll look back and understand the severity and abnormality of the circumstances they’ve lived through.

The foreseeable future will be filled with adaptation and countless trials and tribulations. Although it may take years for things to “get back to normal,” we’ll get through this together. In the meantime, stay respectful and patient.

But most importantly, stay healthy.

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Source: Today, Metro, Lionel Top