Thought-Provoking Short Film by Falls Encourages Appreciation for Life's Precious Moments During Pandemic and Beyond [Video Included]

Thought-Provoking Short Film by Falls Encourages Appreciation for Life's Precious Moments During Pandemic and Beyond

In this time of uncertainty, Falls, an integrated marketing, advertising and digital agency, released "Looking back on COVID-19," a short film that depicts the life-changing experiences during this pandemic. 

Produced in-house by the firm's creative team, the piece portrays the unexpected and rawness, and the vulnerability and humility of this moment in time. It paints a picture of what will be only distant memories when life returns to "normal."

"After some reflection, our team wanted to express a different perspective…to produce something that looked ahead, but by doing so — looked back," said Rob Falls, president and CEO of Falls. "We thought about someday — all of this will all be over. And time will pass. And, of course, we will remember the suffering, the personal losses and the separation from each other. However, we hope we will all remember what we learned from the togetherness, the ways in which we coped, and the selfless actions and sacrifices made to help others."

Thought-Provoking Short Film by Falls Encourages Appreciation for Life's Precious Moments During Pandemic and Beyond

In the opening scene, an all-too-common view of empty downtown streets, usually bustling — and quieted only by the stunning silence of social distancing — comes into view.
"What will you remember?" the narrator asks. He goes on to recount the ways we have persevered together and kept others safe while staying apart; the ways we have passed the time; the ways we have become teachers and tech experts; the ways we have learned to appreciate those who are essential to our lives; and the ways we've come to accept our new normal.

Echoing the sentiments shared by the narrator at the conclusion of the film, Falls reflected, "When we look back, we hope we will learn, and never forget. Learn what is truly important to each of us…and remember."

The Video:

SOURCE: Falls

Korean Pop Music Video "Be The Future" Released to Media and Schools to Urge Youth to Stay Safe During COVID-19 [Video Included]

Korean Pop Music Video "Be The Future" Released to Media and Schools to Urge Youth to Stay Safe During COVID-19

Millenasia today released "Be The Future," a K-Pop music video encouraging young people to take measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. In releasing the video, the Millenasia Project band urged the world to unite in support of the 1.5 billion learners who have been affected by school and university closures as a result of COVID-19.

The music video -- starring Millenasia Project, a project band composed of K-Pop artists AleXa, Dreamcatcher and IN2IT -- was conceived by Millenasia and created in partnership with the Varkey Foundation, as a member of UNESCO's Global Education Coalition.

According to UNESCO, 1.5 billion students and youth across the planet have been affected by school and university closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In direct response, UNESCO launched the Global Education Coalition to facilitate inclusive learning opportunities for children and youth during this period of sudden and unprecedented educational disruption.

Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director General for Education at UNESCO, said, "I am delighted that these K-pop artists have united to send an important message about staying safe during this global pandemic. Our Global Education Coalition is determined to do all it can to facilitate inclusive learning opportunities for the 1.5 billion students and youth across the planet that have been affected by school and university closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Crucially, we're determined to put the teacher voice at the heart of our mission to give every child their birthright; a good education."

The Varkey Foundation, which established the annual US $1 million Global Teacher Prize to shine a light on the global teaching profession, was also excited to partner on the new music video.

Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation and Global Teacher Prize, said: "This music video is a fantastic way to ensure important messages about COVID-19 reach young people throughout the world. I am delighted that this video features 2020 Global Teacher Prize finalist Yun Jeong Hyun, highlighting how teachers across the world continue to inspire, even as the world shifts under their feet. Now, more than ever, we must shine a light on the world's teachers."

• The music video was created to remind young people that whilst they may not have symptoms of the virus, they can still transmit it to family or extended family members.

This music video offers a candy pink and pastel colored narrative with sassy performances, an adorable Siberian tiger mascot and the bebop spunk expected from Korean pop music. "Be the Future" offers a glimpse of a different time not so long ago, reminding us there is still optimism and small joys even in the worst of times.

"With hundreds of million fans around the world, K-Pop has proven to be a global sound for music," Keiko Bang, CEO of Millenasia, said. "We really wanted to make sure we were able to use a medium that would be family-friendly, but more importantly resonated with the youth."

The Millenasia Project band

AleXa said, "I strongly hope that this song and its message of health catches young people's attention. Don't let the seclusion get you down, it's important to stay connected to school, teachers and friends."

This is one of the first times K-Pop has been used as part of a UNESCO initiative and is a tribute to the medium which has accumulated more than an estimated 400 million fans in over 230 countries and regions worldwide. "Be The Future" delivers a universal and profoundly important message that will resonate with people from all walks of life.

Yeontae of IN2IT said, "My third-grade teacher taught me that at the very least we should all try to make a difference with our lives. Now that we are suffering by COVID-19, I can make a difference by staying at home and caring for my parents."

The Millenasia Project band was filmed and recorded just outside of Seoul, South Korea in late April with the production exercising best practices for social distancing at work. The music video collaboration was conceived, produced and released by Millenasia in just 4 weeks with composition, lyrics and choreography turned around in just 2 weeks.

Dreamcatcher's SuA said, "These are difficult times, but I hope everyone will keep their spirits up and I hope our energy in the music video will give you strength."

IN2IT, Dreamcatcher, and Alexa, based on their international and multicultural backgrounds, from Malaysia to Oklahoma, convey this sincere message in a simple but powerful way.

IN2IT, Dreamcatcher, and Alexa in a joint statement said: "We urge the world to unite to support the 1.5 billion learners who have been affected by school and university closures as a result of COVID-19. Amidst this crisis the world has discovered new reserves of creativity, compassion and resolve. We must ensure that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on education actually strengthens, rather than weakens, our resolve to fulfill every child's right to a good education".

The Video:

• "Be The Future" is available now through Millenasia's YouTube channel, and on Apple Music, Spotify, Melon, Anghami, Boomplay, and 25 music platforms around the world. 
• For further information on this significant project and the music video, please visit millenasiaproject.com.

About the Artists:

• AleXa, a Korean-American Oklahoma-born artist, starred in the reality shows, Rising Legends and Produce 48. Her debut single "Bomb" reached #7 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart with more than 12 million views as of May 2020.
• The up-and-coming all-girl group, Dreamcatcher, has made a big splash on the K-Pop scene with their edgy music videos like "Scream," and was nominated in the 2017 MNET Asian Music Awards for Best New Female Artist.
• IN2IT : After successfully winning on the wildly popular Korean music TV reality survival show 'Boys 24', the K-Pop boyband IN2IT have had 3 Top 10 on Korean album charts hits in 2017/2018 and have embarked on Asian and European music tours in 2018/2019.

The Millenasia Project band

About the Partners:

• Millenasia is a next-generation media company focused on targeting Asian millennials. They primarily focus on fandom, influencers, original and branded content, e-commerce, interactive social media, and technology-led storytelling.
• The Varkey Foundation believes every child deserves a vibrant, stimulating learning environment that awakens and supports their full potential. We believe nothing is more important to achieving this than the passion and quality of teachers. We founded the Global Teacher Prize to shine a spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over the world and we continue to play a leading role in influencing education debates on the status of teachers around the world.
• UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at contributing "to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information."

Hashtags: 

•  #BeTheFuture 
•  #MillenasiaProject

SOURCE: Millenasia

Can an Animal Spread COVID-19? "What the QUACK" - New Coronavirus Comedy Song Released on YouTube [Video Included]

New coronavirus comedy song, What the QUACK, released on YouTube

Ampersand Records USA today announced a new Coronavirus Comedy Song by DUCK VENUS (fictitious character) aka Dark Venus and featured on her YouTube channel. 

The song paints the picture (in cartoon style) what would happen if a Duck got the virus.

"We already know how contagious the Coronavirus is amongst humans," says Dark (DUCK) Venus, who started her YouTube channel back in 2018. "But what would happen if an animal were to be the transmitter?"

The story (which is purely fictional) portrays a little cute duck that catches the virus and in turn, innocently starts a chain reaction of infection in her small farm community.

"Under the current lockdown, I think a lot of people will enjoy this new release," says Robert Harris, CEO at Ampersand Records USA. "The song (which is original) is memorable as well."

The lighthearted scenes follow the "paths of the pathogen" as the victims unknowingly spread the virus from one person to another. With a surprise ending, the little duck finds a way to seek revenge on the real source of the virus.

SOURCE: Ampersand Records USA

Related Stories:

• "Corona Wuhan Na" - New Coronavirus Comedy Song But With A Serious Message [Video And Lyrics Included]
• Hip Hop Public Health Launches 20 Seconds or More Initiative Harnessing the Power of Music to Encourage Hand Washing and Other Safety Protocols Amongst Young People to Battle the COVID-19 Pandemic
• "Together We are One" - A Music Video With a Message of Inspiration and Hope During These Difficult Times [Video Included]

"Together We are One" - A Music Video With a Message of Inspiration and Hope During These Difficult Times [Video Included]

"Together We are One" - A Music Video With a Message of Inspiration and Hope During These Difficult Times (screengrab)

Performance Solutions Worldwide has announced the release of Together We are One, a music video that offers hope and inspiration during these difficult times. Produced in the heartland of America, the video sends the message that if we work together, we can overcome anything.

The video is written and produced by Denny Drake and Gunnar Guenette, with audio and video production by Aaron Martin and Rob Campbell. Featured on guitar are John Rodgers and Gunnar Guenette, accompanied by Michael Fitzsimmons on percussion. 

Together We are One is a gift to the world, which inspires and offers hope to those looking for strength and guidance during an epic battle with an unseen enemy that has altered daily life as we know it.

"This anthem is a message of hope, a prayer for us all. It serves as a tribute to everyone that anything is possible if we work together," said Denny Drake, president and chief executive officer of Performance Solutions Worldwide.

Drake added, "As I look around during this time of great uncertainty, I see a nation and a world coming together as one to fight this great pandemic."

Drake encourages those who view the video to share it with friends and family as a message to not give up, and work together as a nation and throughout the world, regardless of race, religion, or political views. "We are all human beings who share the same pain, fears and emotions. Together, we are one." – Denny Drake.

Together We Are One - The Video:

Together We Are One - Lyrics:

When at all began with nothing but ourselves
in the vision of one god

through the eyes of the child and the spirit of the world
we are one, together we are one

has it changed since then with the shift of the wind
and challenges to great for some

we embrace the unknown rise above it all
we are one, together we are one

look around, feel your heart
we’re not that different after all
together we inspire, together we are strong

when we’re together we are one

language not the same different minds, hearts and souls
our dreams…they give us hope

waters of the Earth, the air, sky and sun
we are one, together we are one

look around, feel your heart
the universe hears

us all together we inspire

together we are strong to be more than our selves we are one

since the moment of change

and stand in line
the opportunity from adversity captures some

so on the road we travel and on mountains steep to climb

we are one, forever we are one

we are one, forever we are one

SOURCE: Performance Solutions

Hip Hop Public Health Launches 20 Seconds or More Initiative Harnessing the Power of Music to Encourage Hand Washing and Other Safety Protocols Amongst Young People to Battle the COVID-19 Pandemic

Rap Icon Doug E. Fresh and Songwriter Artie Green Collaborated on New Song and Video, 20 Seconds or More, Featuring 40 Recording Artists, Entertainers, Medical Workers, Athletes, and Business and Civic Leaders PRNewsfoto/Hip Hop Public Health)

Hip Hop Public Health (HHPH) the national nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering positive health behavior change through the power of hip hop music since 2005, today launched 20 Seconds or More, a new initiative to encourage hand washing and other safety protocols among the nation's youth. 

The focal point of 20 Seconds or More is a lively, three-minute music video featuring pioneering rapper and community health advocate, Doug E. Fresh, along with more than 40 noted individuals from the entertainment, sports, medical, civic and business sectors. These include a range of talents such as rappers DMC, Monie Love and Chuck D, pop and R&B singers Ashanti and Jordin Sparks, along with Jamie Foxx, Cedric The Entertainer, UNC NBA prospect Cole Anthony, Olympian Benita Fitzgerald Mosley and many others. 

Dr. Olajide Williams, Chief of Staff, Department of Neurology, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and Doug E. Fresh are the Co-Founders of HHPH and are spearheading the initiative with HHPH Executive Director and CEO, Lori Rose Benson. Philanthropic support for the initiative has been provided by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation and the Bristol Myers Squibb Black Organization for Leadership Development, an employee resource group.

Hip Hop Public Health produced the song 20 Seconds or More in response to messaging failures governing the pandemic in the US. The song was written by Artie Green, and features Doug E. Fresh and Gerry Gunn with medical oversight by Dr. Williams.

20 Seconds or More is available on Spotify and will be on additional streaming music platforms this week, with the hopes of inspiring dance/rapping challenges to share these resources widely. 

The song's catchy refrain, "Wash your hands everybody, and everybody just wash your hands," is inspired by the classic hip hop riff that began with Big Hank and has been adopted by MCs and hip hop fans of all ages and backgrounds as a global anthem.

"The main goal of 20 Seconds or More is to bring together art, science and social media innovation to help fight the COVID-19 health crisis plaguing our nation and the world today," says Doug E. Fresh. "As an artist and a health advocate, I have the responsibility of using my platform and my voice to make a change, beginning with young people, to help save lives and stop the spread of this virus."

"Without a doubt, COVID-19 is one of the most challenging health crises of modern times," says Dr. Olajide Williams. "Personal safety measures are important against the highly contagious Coronavirus, whose infectious profile includes a large number of silent 'asymptomatic' carriers (18-30%) capable of infecting others, and those with mild manifestations of the disease."

The few community defenses against the devastating effects of COVID-19 include home quarantine, social distancing, and proper frequent hand washing. Data shows that these practices mitigate the spread of the virus and have helped to reduce transmission and sickness in countries that have implemented them.

Adds Dr. Williams, "We now know that younger people are more likely to have mild manifestations or silent infection compared to older individuals, and that communities of color are disproportionately affected. These groups need targeted health communication solutions for improving compliance with hand washing, social distancing and home quarantine. 20 Seconds or More is such a campaign, designed to motivate young people and communities of color to engage in regular hand washing and social distancing, while also appealing to the general public."

"This is the era of personal responsibility, when the simple things we choose to do or not do have life and death consequences," says Lori Rose Benson, Executive Director and CEO of Hip Hop Public Health. "Personal responsibility is empowered by education, social conditioning, and cultural relevance. We could therefore think of no better way to get this message across than by launching 20 Seconds or More. This is a life-saving, action-oriented platform that enables young people and all of us to recognize and utilize our power for the collective good health of our communities, the nation and the world."

In addition to the song and video, HHPH has created multiple opportunities for the public to get involved in the 20 Seconds or More movement. Working in collaboration with OPEN, the Online Physical Education Network, HHPH created free lesson plans and other health educational materials to be shared with teachers, school leaders, parents and students to support remote learning and staying active at home.

 HHPH has also created opportunities for young people, educators and artists to serve as Ambassadors, or "HHPH MCs" charged with utilizing their social networks and platforms to inspire dance and rap challenges, while encouraging adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols. HHPH's network of MCs (Masters of Culture) helps to amplify key health messages to empower youth and teach them how to care for their physical and mental health.

HHPH is also sharing frequent updates and information regarding COVID-19 through a series of studies, papers and interactive sessions with Dr. Williams. These include the COVID-19 Industry Rapid Response Q&A with The Partnership for a Healthier America and HHPH's latest blog post with engaging resources for families to stay active at home.

20 Seconds or More - The Video:

The 20 Seconds or More video was produced by IDEKO, a New York based experiential production agency.

SOURCE: Hip Hop Public Health

Alight Announces #InOurHands Global Campaign To Create Unity and Share Messaging About COVID-19 [Video Included]

Alight Announces #InOurHands Global Campaign To Create Unity and Share Messaging About COVID-19 (image via Alight)

Alight, formerly known as the American Refugee Committee, has announced the global launch of the IN OUR HANDS campaign. 

Developed in conjunction with leading nonprofit design studio, IDEO.org, the campaign aims to unite people during a time of social distancing while also sharing bite-sized, positive messaging derived from World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines as a means to simply and effectively offer uplifting messages. 

Alight is joining forces with influencers, community leaders and partners around the world to help raise awareness and demonstrate how together, hand-in-hand, we can help slow the staggering rate at which COVID-19 continues to spread.

"We work closely with refugees in camps and settlements who don't have the systems in place to be protected from the coronavirus and also haven't necessarily received much information about the virus," says Alight's East Africa Representative Bernad Ochieng Ojwang. "So, as we've been working to prepare the communities of refugees and displaced people we serve every day for COVID-19, we knew we also wanted to create a campaign that could both reach other remote and marginalized communities with information and unite the global community against this global pandemic."

"Designers are looking to apply their creativity and craft to COVID-19 related efforts in this moment where their skills are most needed. We are optimistic that these messages can really shift behaviors and prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities in East Africa and around the world," says Jocelyn Wyatt, CEO of IDEO.org.

The campaign centers around influencers coming together to express love and solidarity with all of those doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19 using #InOurHands. They are writing messages of love and solidarity on the palms of their hands, sharing it and encouraging others to do the same, with the hope to send love to more than 28.7 million people worldwide.

Influencers from all over the world are already participating and posting across their social channels, including international musician, K'naan, along with Natalia Tewa, Millard Ayo, Idris Sultan, Harmonize TZ, Benjamin Fernandes, George Kagwe, Aar Maanta and Ayaan Mohallim.

The Video:

About Alight:

Established in 1978 by founder Neal Ball, Alight, formerly known as American Refugee Committee, provides health care, clean water, shelter, protection and economic opportunities to more than 3.5 million people in 17 countries each year. 

Alight believes in the incredible creativity, potential, and ingenuity of the displaced and works to shine a light on their humanity, the tremendous amount of good that's already happening and the possibilities to do more. 

The organization exists to see and help every person make meaningful change in the world – from displaced and marginalized communities in Africa, Asia and the Americas to...anyone, anywhere. 

Learn more about Alight at www.wearealight.org.

SOURCE: Alight

Coronavirus: Polling Shows British Public Values Compassion Over Economic Stability

Coronavirus: Polling Shows British Public Values Compassion Over Economic Stability (Ben Birchall/PA)

These are uncertain, anxious and unnerving times. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every one of us in some way, from physical and mental health to income, from routine and way of life to concern for others. There are, though, causes for hope and optimism in amongst the unease and discomfort. New polling shows the British public values the life and health of the nation’s older population over longer-term economic prosperity.

The UK government, like so many others, has had to weigh these issues against each other in its attempts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Difficult decisions have been taken in the interests of protecting public health that will inevitably hurt the economy. Businesses have been forced to close and people told to stay at home. Companies are placing staff on furlough leave in far greater numbers than the government first predicted, and yet these results suggest that the public is on board with an approach that focuses on keeping people alive rather than keeping businesses running.

Among 2,093 adults, we found that 55% agreed that the health of today’s older generations is more important than the long-term economic prosperity of future generations, and only 8% disagreed.

Respondents also said they valued “being compassionate” as a trait in others (68%) and in leaders and senior politicians (44%) above other character qualities, such as being reflective, courageous, resilient, or wise. This is not a million miles away from other research showing that junior and established professionals value honesty, fairness and kindness in the workplace. Such moral virtues enable us to act well in situations that demand ethical responses, none more so than the crisis that currently envelopes us. The crisis is real, and the situation stark.

The poll results reflect that people are consumed by the immediacy and urgency of the threat of COVID-19, and are finding it difficult to consider more abstract concepts such as future economic prosperity or when any semblance of “normality” will return.

Stockpiling turns to compassion

Respondents also place public services and being aware of those around us in high regard; “being of service to others” (42%) and “having community awareness” (40%) were also character qualities that we value in one another at this time of national and international crisis.

It is understandable that compassion is of the utmost value to us at the moment. The uniqueness of this current crisis has challenged everyone to respond in some way, be it ethically, socially, selfishly, or just by living differently. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen examples of people behaving in ways that has both disappointed and inspired.

We seem to have come through an initial self-preservation response to the crisis, manifesting itself in long lines at supermarkets, with trolleys piled high with more goods than we need. More recently, we are now seeing and sharing scenes of people coming out of their homes to show their gratitude to key workers – which will surely be one of the enduring symbols of our shared compassion.

Billboards that normally display adverts in London’s Piccadilly Circus carry signs thanking key workers. (PA)

In the midst of such a unique and precarious crisis, the poll results reflect a human instinct to care for each another and ourselves.

That said, the findings show that there are differences between generations. While 58% of those aged 55 agreed that caring for lives was more important than economic prosperity, the figure dropped to 49% among those aged 34 and under.

Again, there were generational differences in how respondents valued other people, with younger people aged under 35 valuing compassion in others less (62%) than those aged over 55 (75%). Younger people also valued these traits slightly less in leaders and senior politicians than older people. So, while we are showing ourselves to be a nation that values compassion in this time of crisis, generally, there are degrees of compassion that differ by generation.

Asking such a potentially divisive question about short-term care for lives versus longer-term economic prosperity was designed to make respondents give a “false choice”. If we could protect both, then we would – but we can’t. While support for the short-term reality of protecting life over the more abstract notion of future economic prosperity is not a particularly surprising finding, the degree to which the public favour it is heartwarming.

The findings, overall, reflect the importance of recognising positive qualities in people around us, as well as the importance of character to our own well-being. We value the judgement and wisdom of our leaders, but recognise, at all ages, the need for care and compassion towards one another at this time of unprecedented crisis.

About Today's Contributor:

James Arthur, Director of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, University of Birmingham

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

Detroit Artist Unites City by Creating Music Video Honoring Front-Liners [Video Included]

Dempster from Detroit Performing in Townhouse Square

Popular Detroit-area artist, Robert Dempster, has produced a music video for a song he wrote honoring those at the very front line of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic called Heroes Work Here. 

The inspiration for the song and video came to him when talking to family members and friends who are working the front lines at some of Detroit's most overwhelmed hospitals due to this deadly virus. "I've been so moved by the stories they tell me and by what I've seen with my own eyes, that the lyrics just came to me," said Dempster.

The song – and the video - have been very well-received in this community and local hospitals have been encouraging their workers to watch and listen to it. "The response to this video has been more than I ever anticipated," Dempster said in a recent radio interview.

Dempster has been in the Detroit music and art scene for years. He enjoys the unique distinction of heading up the very first band that ever performed at the iconic Grande Ballroom in the 1960's and has performed with such rock and roll legends as The Yardbirds, Bob Seger and The MC-5. He also wrote and performed the hit single Blue Skies, Yellow Sun. 

His Studio D in Birmingham, Michigan was home to some of the biggest names in the art world – both musical and visual fine art.

Detroit Artist Unites City by Creating Music Video Honoring Front-Liners (screengrab)

SOURCE: Robert Dempster

5 Reasons The World Needs WHO (World Health Organization) To Fight The COVID-19 Pandemic

5 Reasons The World Needs WHO (World Health Organization) To Fight The COVID-19 Pandemic (screengrab)

1) Helping countries to prepare and respond

WHO has issued a COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which identifies the major actions countries need to take, and the resources needed to carry them out.

The plan, which is updated as fresh information and data improve WHO's understanding of the characteristics of the virus and how to respond, acts as a guide for developing country-specific plans.

The health agency's six regional offices, and 150 country offices, work closely with governments around the world to prepare their health systems for the ravages of COVID-19, and to respond effectively when cases arrive and begin to mount.

With partners, WHO set up the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, to ensure patients get the care they need, and frontline workers get essential supplies and information; and to accelerate research and development of a vaccine and treatments for all who need them.

With donations from governments, the private sector and individuals, more than $800 million has been pledged or received for the response so far.

2) Providing accurate information, busting dangerous myths

The internet is awash with information about the pandemic, some of it useful, some of it false or misleading. In the midst of this “infodemic”, WHO is producing accurate, useful guidance that can help save lives.

This includes around 50 pieces of technical advice for the public, health workers and countries, with evidence-based guidance on every element of the response, and exploding dangerous myths.

The health agency benefits from the expertise of a global network of health professionals and scientists, including epidemiologists, clinicians and virologists, to ensure that the response is as comprehensive, authoritative and representative as possible.

To ensure information is correct and helpful, WHO set up a team to give everyone access to timely, accurate and easy-to-understand advice, from trusted sources. In addition, daily situation reports and press briefings, as well as briefings with governments, are keeping the world informed about the latest data, information and evidence.

Many social media and tech companies are working closely with WHO to aid the flow of reliable information, including Instagram, Linkedin and TikTok; and chatbots on the Whatsapp and Viber platforms have garnered millions of followers, sending out timely updates and reports.

3) Ensuring vital supplies reach frontline health workers

Personal protective equipment is essential to ensure health professionals are able to save lives, including their own. So far, WHO has shipped more than two million items of personal protective equipment to 133 countries, and is preparing to ship another two million items in the coming weeks. More than a million diagnostic tests have been dispatched to 126 countries, in all regions, and more are being sourced.

However, far more is needed, and WHO is working with the International Chamber of Commerce, the World Economic Forum, and others in the private sector, to ramp up the production and distribution of essential medical supplies.

On 8 April, WHO launched a “UN COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force”, which aims to dramatically increase the supply of essential protective equipment where it is needed.

4) Training and mobilizing health workers

WHO is aiming to train millions of health workers, via its OpenWHO platform. Thanks to this online tool, life-saving knowledge is being transferred to frontline personnel by the Organization, and its key partners.

Users take part in a worldwide, social learning network, based on interactive, online courses and materials covering a variety of subjects. OpenWHO also serves as a forum for the rapid sharing of public health expertise, and in-depth discussion and feedback on key issues. So far, more than 1.2 million people have enrolled in 43 languages.

Countries are also being supported by experts, deployed around the world by the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). During outbreaks, the network ensures that the right technical expertise and skills are on the ground where and when they are needed most.

Emergency Medical Teams are also an important part of the global health workforce. These teams are highly trained, and self-sufficient, and are sent to places identified as disaster or emergency zones.

5) The search for a vaccine

Laboratories in many countries are already conducting tests that, it is hoped, will eventually lead to a vaccine. In an attempt to corral these efforts, WHO brought together 400 of the world's leading researchers in February, to identify research priorities.

The agency launched a “Solidarity Trial”, an international clinical trial, involving 90 countries, to help find effective treatment. The aim is to rapidly discover whether any existing drugs can slow the progression of the disease, or improve survival.

To better understand the virus, WHO has developed research protocols that are being used in more than 40 countries, in a coordinated way, and some 130 scientists, funders and manufacturers from around the world have signed a statement committing to work with WHO to speed the development of a vaccine against COVID-19.

Helping the poorest and most vulnerable

In his 8 April press briefing, Tedros said that WHO is involved with many other initiatives and actions, but all of them come under these five essential pillars.

The agency's focus, he said, is “on working with countries and with partners to bring the world together to confront this common threat together”.

A particular concern, he added, is for the world's poorest and most vulnerable, in all countries, and WHO is committed to “serve all people of the world with equity, objectivity and neutrality.”

SOURCE: UN News Centre

Free Information Book Explaining the Coronavirus to Children, Illustrated by Gruffalo Illustrator

Free Information Book Explaining the Coronavirus to Children, Illustrated by Gruffalo Illustrator

Axel Scheffler has illustrated a digital book for primary school age children, free for anyone to read on screen or print out, about the coronavirus and the measures taken to control it. 

Published by award-winning independent children's book publisher, Nosy Crow, and written by staff within the publishing company, the book has had expert input: Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine acted as a consultant, and the company also had advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist.

The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:

• What is the coronavirus?
• How do you catch the coronavirus?
• What happens if you catch the coronavirus?
• Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus?
• Is there a cure for the coronavirus?
• Why are some places we normally go to closed?
• What can I do to help?
• What's going to happen next?

Nosy Crow wants to make sure that this book is accessible to every child and family and so the book is offered totally free of charge to anyone who wants to read it. However, the company suggests, at the back of the book, that families might make a donation to help our health service if they find the book useful:(www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk)

Kate Wilson, Managing Director of Nosy Crow, said:
"We were very aware that many parents and carers are struggling to explain the current extraordinary situation to children, many of whom are frightened and confused. We thought that the best thing we could do would be to use our skills to produce a free book to explain and, where possible, reassure children. We asked Axel, whose work is so familiar and so loved, to illustrate it. He was happy to do it, and did it extraordinarily quickly. Meanwhile, having heard Professor Medley interviewed by the BBC, we looked him up and wrote to him, and despite his huge workload, he reviewed the book over a weekend, and we were able to incorporate his suggestions, together with those of two head teachers and a child psychologist, into the final version of the book. We hope it helps answer difficult questions in difficult times."

Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo, said:
"I asked myself what I could do as an children's illustrator to inform, as well as entertain, my readers here and abroad. So I was glad when my publisher, Nosy Crow, asked me to illustrate this question-and-answer book about the coronavirus. I think it is extremely important for children and families to have access to good and reliable information in this unprecedented crisis, and I hope that the popularity of the books I've done with Julia Donaldson will ensure that this digital book will reach many children who are now slightly older, but might still remember our picture books."

Professor Graham Medley, Professor of Infectious Disease Modelling at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:
"This pandemic is changing children's lives across the globe and will have a lasting impact on us all. Helping children understand what is going on is an important step in helping them cope and making them part of the story - this is something that we are all going through, not something being done to them. This book puts children IN the picture rather just watching it happen, and in a way that makes the scary parts easier to cope with."

• You can download a copy of the book here.

Free Information Book Explaining the Coronavirus to Children, Illustrated by Gruffalo Illustrator

About Axel Scheffler

Axel Scheffler is an award-winning, internationally-acclaimed illustrator of some of the most well-loved children's books. His books have been published in many languages and his work has been exhibited all around the world. 

Axel is best known for his partnership with Julia Donaldson, on books including Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo. 

For Nosy Crow, Axel has illustrated a number of other highly successful titles, including the Pip and Posy series, The Grunts and the bestselling Flip Flap series. 

Axel lives in London with his partner and daughter..

About Nosy Crow

Nosy Crow is a multi-award-winning publisher of child-focused, parent-friendly children's books and eBooks for ages 0 – 14. It began publishing in 2011 and has won the Independent Publishers Guild's Children's Publisher of the Year Award three times. It was named Children's Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards in April 2017 and in April 2019, and in 2016 was awarded the Independent Publishers Guild Independent Publisher of the Year. Other prizes include a Queen's Award for Enterprise – International Trade, The Stationers' Company Innovation Excellence Award, The Nectar Business Small Business of the Year Award, The Growing Business Awards Young Company of the Year Award and many others for both individual books and for its marketing and international sales. Nosy Crow is already the 12th biggest children's book publisher in the UK, based on Nielsen-tracked sales to consumers.

SOURCE: Nosy Crow