Children paid 'huge price' in Covid pandemic, Johnson tells inquiry

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged that children "paid a huge price" during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at a public inquiry, Johnson admitted that the lockdown rules "probably did go too far" and that children could have been exempted from some of the restrictions. Johnson's comments come amid growing concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on children's mental health, education, and social development. Many experts have criticized the government's response, arguing that the needs of young people were often overlooked in favor of broader public health measures. The former PM's remarks suggest a recognition that the pandemic's toll on children was underestimated and that more could have been done to mitigate the negative consequences. While the inquiry is still ongoing, Johnson's statement is likely to fuel further debate about the handling of the crisis and the importance of prioritizing the well-being of children in future emergency planning.