Apple

       This would probably be one in contemporary history when we are encouraged to celebrate the Christmas season in its essence, in its simplicity. With a focus on the Covid virus, we are preoccupied with guidelines on how to celebrate Christmas this year, with only members of the family who are living in the same household, to continue wearing masks, observe social distancing, or to wash hands frequently.  We are being discouraged from visiting one another for our mutual protection and safety.     The usual Christmas glee and merriment that we have been accustomed to is not possible this year.        But our celebration of Christmas should not be dampened by Covid! Let us spread more hope, peace, joy and love this Season and this is where I am reminded of the birth of our Savior.  The Christmas story is one of simplicity. Our Lord and Savior was born in a manger with only his mother and father, his guests were a sh...

            The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic  is of a scale most people alive today have never seen. Worldwide, the outbreak is claiming lives and livelihoods as health systems buckle, education is disrupted and families struggle to stay afloat. Communities across the globe are rising to the  challenge, from health and social workers risking their lives to protect the most vulnerable, to young people deploying innovative ways to share public health  messages. Yet, even as the spread of the virus slows in  some countries, its social toll has come fast  and hard. And in many places, it comes at the  expense of the most marginalized children.           Children are significantly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This brief aims to capture some key issues and propose early steps that governments can take to mitigate negative consequences for children, especially the most vulnerable. maln...