California and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) excessive, heavy-handed COVID-19 lockdowns may have broken a large share of the state’s youth, setting them back an incalculable amount.

In 2022, 10% of Californians aged 16-24 were considered “disconnected,” meaning they weren’t in school, employed, or even looking for a job. That amounts to around half a million young Californians. Public school enrollment is still declining, and it isn’t being matched by the smaller increase in private schools. And, of the students who are enrolled, 25%, about 4 million, are considered “chronically absent,” meaning they miss at least 10% of school days.