As this unusual year’s winter approaches, COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on almost everyone’s daily lives. Nonetheless, some are more affected than others — the majority of those who have died or been hit hardest by the disease have been older than 60.

In addition to the direct impact on the elderly, the coronavirus has already left a psychological mark. Aging comes with a myriad of social, physical and psychological vulnerabilities, which the ongoing pandemic has accentuated in the shape of anxiety, stress, misinformation, uncertainty and discrimination. And physical distancing — although seen as one of the most effective strategies to fight COVID‐19 — has also been a major cause of loneliness. 

In our latest multimedia story, “ The Pandemic Comes To The Elderly”, our journalist Dafina Halili brings us another perspective of COVID-19’s impact. Reflecting through a gender perspective, we are acquainted with the feeling of being a burden and become familiarized with yearning, melancholy, fear and loneliness. 

The profound impact of the current pandemic has — perhaps unsurprisingly — been easily missed by the institutions, but also by much of wider society. 

Meanwhile, the elderly in Kosovo have been wondering whether their pensions will cover the extra medicines they need as precautions against the virus, how they will pass the long days when their social centers stay closed due to the preventive measures, and whether their contribution will still be noticed now that they are no longer actively involved in the economy.

In this participative discussion, we want to provide a platform for the elderly to express their thoughts, while at the same time discussing the issue through social and journalistic lenses. 

To get the discussion started, we have invited:

• Antigona Sopjani – Coordinator of Social Welfare at Red Cross Kosovo;
• Naim Jerliu – Public Health Specialist; 
• Dafina Halili – Journalist at K2.0.

The discussion will be moderated by Aulonë Kadriu – Program Manager at K2.0. 

Join us on 16 December from 17:30, via K2.0’s Facebook Page. 

Due to the pandemic, the discussion will be organized online. Translation in English and Serbian will be provided through audio calls on Viber groups created for each language. Just send us your phone number and indicate the language you require translation for and we will add you to one of the groups.

This discussion is organized within the project “Innovation for resilient media and citizen engagement” supported by the European Union Office in Kosovo and implemented by Kosovo 2.0 in partnership with GAP Institute.K

Feature image: Arrita Katona / K2.0.