Child health and COVID-19: How Mark 10 can inform a Christian ethic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for children and families. While most of the public debate surrounding the pandemic naturally focused on mainstream concerns, vulnerable groups, including children, with unique concerns were pushed to the periphery. The fact that COVID-19 continues to impact these vulnerable groups gives Christians an opportunity to right past wrongs. In this article, we first describe the biblical priority Jesus gives to children as members of God’s kingdom by exploring Mark 10:13–16. We then highlight specific ways in which the consequences of public responses to COVID-19 disproportionately burdened children. Finally, we present two case studies through which we reimagine how Christians can respond to the collateral impacts of COVID-19 on children in a more biblically faithful manner.