A press conference dedicated to children, to reassure them and fight their fears about the coronavirus. The Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, announced it
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousA press conference dedicated to children, to reassure them during the lockdown and fight their fears about the coronavirus. The Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, called it directly to the little ones, explaining why they would no longer be able to meet friends, teachers and classmates.
It is not the first to show particular attention to one of the groups most affected by quarantine, but too often forgotten in other countries. Even the first New Zealand minister, Jacinda Ardern, had given an official speech for the children, reassuring them that the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny would continue to work, because they were considered "essential workers".
Now Erna Solberg also gives us a lesson in true empathy to the rest of her premier colleagues, who have forgotten how the little ones can suffer from such an extreme condition.
“I know many of you have had to cancel birthday parties. It's a shame. It's boring having to stay home so long, and it's boring not being able to meet all your friends like before. But by staying home from school and not taking part in the usual leisure activities, you are helping to keep people from getting infected and not getting sick, ”she explained to the children, reassuring them of their biggest fears.
What can I say, an extraordinary sensitivity that should be the school. Thank you first minister!
In Norway, Prime Minister Erna Solberg just held a press conference specifically for children.
For half an hour, she and her team answered questions submitted by kids across the country.
She told them it was normal to be scared but that everything would be okay.#Leadership pic.twitter.com/pGHdB24zpS
— Goodable (@Goodable) March 16, 2020
The speech to the children
Hi everyone.
These last few days have been very strange.
All schools and crèches are closed.
All sports and leisure activities have been canceled.
And anyone who has been overseas must go to quarantine when they get home.
Due to the coronavirus, the daily lives of adults and children are now very different from what they were. Everyone has to stay home as much as possible.
Many children find it scary. I can understand that.
It's okay to be a little scared when so many things are happening at the same time.
It's okay to be a little afraid of being infected with the coronavirus.
But for most of us, the coronavirus isn't dangerous. Children who catch the coronavirus usually only get a little sick. It's almost like a normal cold. And many people don't get infected at all.
And even if everyone in your school were infected with the virus, almost everyone would be fine.
The same goes for your mom and dad. Adults who are healthy don't get very sick.
But the coronavirus can be dangerous for people who have a serious illness. It can also be dangerous for the elderly. So we must do everything possible to prevent these people from getting infected.
It is important to remember that everyone who gets sick in Norway receives excellent care in the hospital. We have excellent nurses and doctors who look after us.
But the best thing would be for as many people as possible not to get infected at all.
This is why so many things have been closed or canceled.
If we don't meet, we can't get infected.
I know many of you have had to cancel birthday parties. It's a shame.
It's boring having to stay home so long, and it's boring not being able to meet all your friends like before.
But by staying home from school and not taking part in the usual leisure activities, you are helping to keep people from getting infected and not getting sick.
Source: regjeringen.no
Read also:
'The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are essential workers': New Zealand Prime Minister reassures children (and proposes a game)
