CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), New Delhi, organised a half-day online session on COVID-19 in Children on 4 June 2021. The session was focused on the second wave outbreak and the impact of COVID-19 on children, threats, and necessary protocols required for the safety of children.

The Chief Guest of the webinar was Dr V. Vijayalakshmi, Additional Commissioner (Academics), KVS (HQ), New Delhi, and the Guest speaker was Prof. (Dr) R. Somasekar, Professor of Pediatrics, Sree Balaji Medical College & Hosptial (SBMCH), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Executive Board Member 2021, Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP). The programme was attended by about 150 delegates including several dignitaries, faculty members, r

esearchers, scientists, and students from various schools.

Dr Ranjana Aggarwal, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, in her introductory remarks, highlighted the incredible bonding between two great institutions, the CSIR and the institute with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) in the form of JIGYASA, a student-scientist connect initiative kick-started in mid-2017, to inculcate ‘Scientific Temper’ among school students and make them science-oriented.”

Further, she added that ‘JIGYASA’ has indeed created a commendable impact not only among the students but also enthusiasm among the scientists as well. She said ‘JIGYASA’ provides an opportunity to students to interact with the scientists directly and thereby motivates the young minds for innovative thinking and approach. In the long run, it is expected to deliver impressive results, especially in terms of S&T developments beneficial to society.

Dr V. Vijayalakshmi, in her address, stated that JIGYASA is like a dream coming true for the students as it provides a platform to interact with the scientists and also witness their work closely. This association has been quite successful for its institution as the students are excited about the various types of engagements that it ensures all through the year.

Dr Vijayalakshmi said that the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has affected every sphere of our lives, most importantly social life, and passively affected the children’s psyche denying them their right to play, and be with their peers, apart from the studies. She recollected how our teachers became IT-savvy technocrats overnight to cope up with the pressure of educating the children. She said though the lessons are taught in online classes completely, the great infrastructure of schools is just a mud pile without students’ physical presence.

Prof. R. Somasekar delivered the keynote address on “COVID-19 in Children: Threats & Precautions” and said that COVID-19 in children is still moderate. Though children are vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, still the majority of them are asymptomatic and only 1-2% had to go for hospitalisation.

Dr Somasekar cautioned the parents about the chances of transmission of infection from adults, and the increasing gastrointestinal symptoms among children these days. He explained how to identify and differentiate the COVID-19 symptoms from other flu and the common cold.

Dr Somasekar said that COVID-19 has so far not affected children much in India, and also discussed various COVID-19 treatment options for children. Taking the session forward he suggested some measures to adopt in our day-to-day life including physical exercise, playing with kids, avoiding junk food, sleeping for 7 to 8 hours, wearing mask for >2 years, a balanced diet, and age-appropriate vaccination. Most importantly, he advised a close watch for symptoms and changes in the kid’s behaviour.

Dr Y. Madhavi, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, moderated the discussion and summed up the concluding session. Shri R.S. Jayasomu, Chief-Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, proposed the vote of thanks.