An upcoming documentary, titled Generation COVID, explores the long-term effects of school closures that occurred six years after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education across the United States. Directed by Jennifer Sey and Andrew James, the film observes children and families in California, New York, Oregon, Colorado, and Connecticut as they navigate the aftermath of pandemic-related school closures and mandates. The documentary took more than four years to film.
Jennifer Sey, who previously served as the global chief marketing officer of Levi Strauss & Co., discussed the documentary with Fox News Digital. She expressed concern that while many appear eager to move past the pandemic, numerous children continue to grapple with its consequences. Sey aims to ensure that the experiences of young people are not forgotten, hoping to prevent similar situations in any future pandemics.
The documentary provides a visual account of the impact of school closures on American children, urging a reevaluation of how similar events might be handled in the future.
Sey’s background includes living in San Francisco for over thirty years, where she actively opposed the city’s lengthy shutdowns. “I ended up having to leave San Francisco,” she shared. “I lost a career I’d spent 30 years building, but I continued to speak out in defense of children.” After leaving her job in 2022, Sey started producing Generation COVID, which focuses on the repercussions of school closures.
Sey is also known as an Emmy-winning producer of the documentary Athlete A, which investigates the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal and broader issues in elite gymnastics. Her commitment to safeguarding children stems from her own experiences as a young athlete enduring abuse. Having been a whistleblower about abuse in elite gymnastics since 2008, Sey is driven by the desire to support children who, she feels, have been overlooked.
“I feel like everyone’s moved on, but the kids have not moved on,” Sey stated, underscoring her conviction to continue advocating for children.
Sey argued that, during the pandemic, children were “dehumanized,” treated as mere participants in a system, rather than seen as individuals needing social interaction for development. She criticized instances where children were told they might cause harm if they failed to wear masks, as it inflicted unnecessary fear on them.
Generation COVID delves into the effects of school closures and examines the censorship that Sey believes contributed to prolonging them. The documentary is set to premiere on October 22 on SalemNOW.
Reporter Elizabeth Heckman wrote this piece for Fox News Digital.
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