Covid-19 and the ‘sacrificed generation’
Why the EU and governments must act today
The article from The Guardian titled “‘A sacrificed generation’: psychological scars of Covid on young may have lasting impact” on 2nd June 2021, brings up the point of how governments, including the UK, have done a poor job of handling the fallout of people’s mental well-being, education, and future job prospects.
As a reader, I am inclined to agree. The 2008 Financial Crisis had long-term impacts on economic and social facets of our lives. However, the EU missed the opportunity to help the youth recover quickly from unemployment. Instead, it tightened the fiscal and monetary policy, and therefore, slowed the recovery and caused a second recession. As per a study by The Economist, starting work in a recession affects people for their entire lives, leading to lower wealth, higher rates of divorce and higher mortality long after the recessions are over; and it is imperative to understand that we are in a situation where we can either let this period affect future generations or take corrective measures now so generations after us lead healthier, happier lives.
