COVID-19 through the Eyes of Latina Children

Pediatrician Ariana C. Hoet and her colleagues, in their study on Latino and Somali immigrant children in central Ohio, emphasize the importance of engaging with underserved communities affected by the pandemic, going beyond physical intervention and care. They argue that artistic self-expression is a crucial strategy for managing stress and cultivating resilience. To support this argument, they present poetry composed by three preteen girls aged between 8 and 12 years during the initial wave. In her poem titled “The Day Our Lives Were Put on Pause,” 12-year-old Liliana E. Flores captures her feelings of isolation, stating, “The once crowded hallways filled with noise, / Now sits in silence as schools are closed” (Hoet et. al. 21). Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the poem exhibits optimism, the speaker able to perceive smiles shining through people’s eyes despite the need for masks. The poem concludes with a message of unity: “It doesn’t matter how hard things can be / We are all in this together and together we will beat this” (Hoet et. al. 21). Echoing Liliana’s sentiment, 8-year-old Isabella Barrera affirms that “the pandemic doesn’t break my friendships” (Hoet et. al. 21 ). Given voice to groups who may face barriers in accessing mental health treatment, the poetic work offers these young girls a platform to share their unique perspectives on “loneliness but also resilience during the pandemic” (Hoet et. al. 21), transcending those barriers.