How do you think the Syrian refugee crisis has changed since the book was written?

How do you think the Syrian refugee crisis has changed since the book was written, particularly in light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak? Do you think a resolution is on the horizon?

Gosh, I can't imagine how things are looking for those folks now. I think I read somewhere that the aggression had lessened due to the virus, but I'm sure any kind of movement - out of the country, into a new country, etc. - has been severely limited. Those in the refugee camps have to be experiencing a lot of COVID exposure. Those waiting for asylum have probably been delayed since the regular way of working has changed, too. Charities are likely focusing on just getting their own unemployed populations fed. So overall I think their situation must have gotten worse over the past few months, and I don't see it getting better any time soon.

I imagine it is much harder to make the journey now the war has gone on so long. The refugees escaping now have to begin with far fewer resources and hope. Plus many countries have reached their immigration limits and finding a safe place to land is harder. It has to be an arduous task to escape and find a better life somewhere else.

I don't think it has changed.

I do not. The virus has dominated the news; however, the refugee crisis has not been resolved. It is just so sad.

I think it has only continued to grow and worsen. The COVID-19 pandemic is the dominate story, but refugees are at even greater risk of the virus due to lack of water, close living spaces, and limited access to medical services. Borders have been closed as a result, which restricts any forward movement in the migration of refugees. Money pledged to help Syrian refugees is most likely being diverted to help countries face the economic problems they are facing due to shuttered businesses. Many people have very short attention spans. If something isn't at the top of the newsfeed, it is very easily moved to the back burner or forgotten about entirely. I worry that this is the case for who remain in refugee camps across the Middle Easy or have been displaced in Syria.