The hidden devastation of COVID-19.

The immense devastation brought down by COVID is leaving behind dustrubting aftermath.

Post pandemic, the medical problems will prove to be pernicious. However, among these rising medical concerns that hint towards cancer endemics, the global community now faces a new cancer. With rising COVID cases, especially in middle-income earning communities, many children are rendered orphans prior to their adolescence.

A 14-year-old child's mother, father, grandfather and uncle passed away due to COVID-19. His friend's parents are now fostering him. There is growing awareness of "Covid orphans"; there are more than 150 to 200 calls that are ringing to NGOs who are actively collecting these children. So, even if COVID leaves the world, it will have an impact that will never be reversed for thousands.

There is a new rising demand for breast milk for mother-less kids among the countless unheard plea for hospital beds, medicine, and oxygen cylinders. There have been 11 children whose case has been appropriately handled by DCPCR (Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights) and they have found new parents for the orphans. The numbers, unfortunately, are rising everyday.

Moreover, the increasing death toll of COVID is leaving behind a supply of possible trafficking victims.

The social media posts of the orphans is giving rise to illegal adoptions, which may end up being trafficked across the world. Under Section 80 and 81 of the Juvenile Justice Act, the social media posts of organs is illegal. The Twitter and WhatsApp messages have been asked to be halted at the earliest, and there is a possible 1 Lakh Rs. which will be placed.

There is a process which Juvenile Justice (JJ) needs to follow, and the social media activism is causing a problem. Suppose a child has to be reported to be an orphan. In that case, the information must come through four channels: "Childline 1098, or the district Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) or the helpline of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights." After the report is received, the child will be medically tested, and under professional considerations, the best future will be sought.

The officials believe that the best method to go about the process is not an open adoption. It is preferred to locate uncles and aunts that can help the children to be part of the same heritage and have family contacts.

This is a concerning reality which many people are not aware of today. So please try and make knowledgeable decisions and do your best to alert the officials prior to viral social media marketing.

Overall, the virus is showing new colours every day. Unfortunately, none of them are colours of a rainbow - just the sad aftermath on a battleground. It is up to us to be informed and make the correct decision. Alerting the officials becomes a priority, and ensuring a safe future for these helpers kids is the goal.