'The coronavirus is a formidable foe': children's multimodal articulations of SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 pandemic experiences in China

ObjectiveThis study explored children's post-pandemic articulations regarding the coronavirus along with their lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignA qualitative survey featuring drawings, comments, questions and follow-up interviews was employed to gather data from 108 infected children aged 13 to 14 from two middle schools in China. This multimodal approach allowed for a rich capture of the children's articulations of their pandemic experiences.ResultsChildren's multimodal articulations conveyed not only the biological features of, but also their emotional reactions to the coronavirus. The pandemic had disrupted children's lives, making online learning, sleep and screen engagement dominant in their daily routines, while also compounding children's unhappiness primarily due to restrictions on social interactions. Children associated the coronavirus with biological, medical, psychological and social aspects. Increased sanitisation and hygiene habits featured their pre-to-post pandemic changes. Furthermore, children exhibited an awareness regarding preventive measures and transmission modes, albeit with certain biases or gaps. Their misunderstandings about recuperative strategies merit clarification.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had profound and multifaceted impacts on children's emotional well-being, daily routines, social interactions, education, and health-related behaviors. Children's multimodal articulations revealed a spectrum of adverse effects caused by the pandemic, calling for targeted health interventions to mitigate these negative effects while also equipping children with resilience and coping skills for navigating future health crises. Incorporating children's perspectives and experiences into future pandemic preparedness and health promotion strategies is essential for addressing their vulnerabilities and ensuring their overall well-being during public health crises.