Mitigate the effects of home confinement on children during the COVID-19 outbreak / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

More than 220 million Chinese children and adolescents are confined to their homes because of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Thanks to the strong administrative system in China, the emergency home schooling plan has been rigorously implemented. Although these measures and efforts are highly commendable and necessary, there are reasons to be concerned because prolonged school closure and home confinement during a disease outbreak might have negative effects on children's physical and mental health. It is the responsibility and keen interests of all stakeholders, from governments to parents, to ensure that the physical and mental impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic on children and adolescents are kept minimal.