A poll conducted recently by the United Nations Children's Fund among the youth in the Caribbean and Latin America showed that one-third of them do not believe they are at risk of being infected with COVID-19.

What's even more concerning is that only one-third of the 10,500 respondents composed of Latin American and Caribbean youngsters  answered correctly when asked how COVID-19 is transferred from person to person.

 With South America currently being seen "as the global pandemic's new epicenter," it is another point of concern that only less than 50 percent of the young respondents are even aware of their national COVID-19 information website, as revealed by the survey.

According to UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Bernt Aasen, "Not having the facts about COVID-19" poses danger to the lives of the young and their families. However, Aasen believes the youth should not be blamed for their lack of information.

The survey results emphasize the urgency of reaching out to the youth across the Caribbean and Latin America with the correct and adequate information, most especially to those with limited or no access to digital platforms.

Lack of Knowledge 

The survey conducted across 31 nations in Latin America and the Caribbean via a short messaging system or SMS on a mobile phone reflect an alarming lack of knowledge around COVID-19 in terms of transmission, symptoms, and prevention.

Of the young respondents, only 44 percent "felt that they were, to some extent, informed on the virus in general". 

A 22-year-old respondent from Trinidad and Tobago said it is just as possible for young people who are exposed to the virus "to get infected and be infectious." Therefore, they need to strictly follow directives on COVID-29 screening, testing, control and care, and social distancing.

More than 40 percent of the young respondents referred to the traditional media as their primary source of information on the pandemic, while 21 percent cited social media and only 10 percent got their information from instant messaging services.

Notably, nearly 95 percent of the young respondents believe that actions needed to be taken to combat the global health crisis, although almost half of them believe that their respective communities are not yet completely ready to deal with the virus.

A 17-year-old female respondent from Brazil urged all kids, teens, and young adults to "please stay home, wash your hands," and take the authorities' advice seriously.

Youth Involvement

Administered via U-Report, a mobile empowerment platform from UNICEF which guarantees confidentiality and can be accessed for free, the survey sheds light on the thoughts and feelings of young individuals on the global pandemic.

Another respondent, a 17-year-old male from Honduras, said it is normal to worry about how the pandemic can be overcome. Inspiringly, the teenager added, "Only together, we get through this."

Aasen said that the youth's involvement "could be a game-changer" in the battle against COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean in the days and weeks to come.

 It is crucial to make trustworthy information, he continued, not just accessible but appealing to the youngsters as well, to make them feel that they are certainly part of the solution rather than "the problem."

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