Yn ogystal ag effaith uniongyrchol y feirws, mae'n amlwg bod effeithiau cymdeithasol tymor hir COVID-19 yn debygol o fod yn sylweddol iawn oherwydd y niwed hysbys sy'n deillio o ddirywiad economaidd, ac yn enwedig o'r cynnydd cysylltiedig mewn diweithdra.  Dengys yr hyn a ddysgwyd o ddirwasgiadau blaenorol y gall hyn gael yr effaith fwyaf ar y rhai sydd eisoes o dan anfantais a bydd bron yn sicr o gynyddu anghydraddoldebau.  Mae effeithiau andwyol parhaol yn cynnwys mwy o berygl o gyfnodau cylchol o ddiweithdra, cyflog is, llesiant is a mwy o achosion o gyflyrau iechyd cronig.  Mae yn debygol y bydd effeithiau niweidiol arbennig o amlwg a pharhaol ar bobl ifanc sy'n ymuno â'r farchnad lafur am y tro cyntaf, a all arwain at gosbau economaidd-gymdeithasol gydol oes, gan gynnwys - yn achos rhai - ddisgwyliad oes llai. Mae plant a phobl ifanc yr amharwyd ar eu haddysg hefyd yn wynebu'r risg o ganlyniadau cymdeithasol-economaidd gwaeth.Argymell y dylai  ein ffocws ar niwed gael ei ailgyfeirio bellach at leihau effeithiau economaidd a chymdeithasol y pandemig a hynny mewn ffordd ofalus.
In addition to the direct impact of the virus, it is evident that the longer term societal impacts of COVID-19 are likely to be very significant due to the known harms that result from economic downturns, and particularly from the associated increases in unemployment.  Learning from previous recessions shows this can have the hardest impact on those already disadvantaged and will almost certainly increase inequalities.  Persisting adverse effects include increased risks of recurring periods of unemployment, lower pay, lower well-being and a higher incidence of chronic health conditions.  Particularly pronounced and long lasting adverse effects are likely on young people entering the labour market for the first time, who may incur life-long socio-economic penalties, including – for some - reduced life expectancy. Children and young people whose education has been disrupted also face the risk of worse socio-economic outcomes.Recommendthat our focus on harm should now be cautiously rebalanced towards reducing the wider economic and societal impacts of the pandemic.