By now, the anticipated and now well documented consequences of lockdowns for children is well known: massive learning loss; increased mental health issues, including suicides; malnutrition due to increased poverty. The list goes on and all were predicted.
The Sydney Morning Herald has identified another to add resulting from Australia’s extensive lockdowns. Per the headline: “Drowning risk at generational high after children miss 10 million swimming lessons“
Some key quotes:
Lifesavers raised the alarm this week after conducting 1200 rescues between Christmas and New Year, the highest figure in at least five years. They expect another busy period when sunny weather returns on Sunday.
Stacey Pidgeon, national manager of research and policy at the society, said the 10 million missed swimming lessons “suggest that children of all ages are at increased risk of drowning this year”.
Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia chief executive Brendon Ward said there were waitlists at “most, if not all” swim schools due to a shortage of instructors.
”We aren’t back at a pre-COVID level of capacity, but that is because there isn’t the staff,” he said, explaining the industry had struggled to rebuild its casual workforce after it was shuttered in lockdown.
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[…] Aussie kids’ increased drowning risk—another consequence of COVID lockdowns […]