An upcoming documentary, Generation COVID, investigates the long-term effects of school closures following the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed by Jennifer Sey and Andrew James, the film tracks families and children in California, New York, Oregon, Colorado, and Connecticut, documenting their experiences over more than four years.
Sey discussed the project with Fox News Digital, highlighting the ongoing struggles many children face despite the country’s readiness to move on. She emphasized her desire to ensure lessons are learned to prevent a repeat in any future pandemics.
The documentary illustrates how school closures negatively impacted American children, urging new strategies for future health crises. Sey, a former global chief marketing officer for Levi Strauss & Co., became vocal about prolonged shutdowns in San Francisco, continuing her advocacy for children even after leaving her career in 2022.
Sey’s concerns also stem from her history as an elite gymnast, during which she endured significant abuse. Her previous work, Athlete A, an Emmy-winning documentary, delved into the abuse within elite gymnastics linked to the Larry Nassar scandal.
She explained her commitment to defending children’s rights relates to her own past experiences, highlighting the harmful messaging conveyed to children during the pandemic. This fueled her drive to expose the lack of concern for children’s developmental needs during school closures.
The documentary also touches on censorship issues Sey believes perpetuated school closures. Generation COVID will be available on SalemNOW starting October 22.
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