Government responses to the coronavirus that will benefit families and children most include generous sick leave benefits and direct cash payments, because children are safer when parents aren’t financially desperate.
In the intermediate term, World War II-style public works programs could employ thousands in areas directly related to the pandemic such as healthcare support services and meal delivery.
Long term, encouraging the more public-spirited mindset that is tentatively emerging from this crisis could free us to tackle under-investments in families that compromise children’s futures — including low wages, unequal education, and lack of housing and child care.
An immediate challenge is increased risks for maltreated children who are isolated at home without the respite that school provides, and with likely restrictions on outside contacts such as caseworker visits and in-home services.