The Virus and Us is an animated instructional video created by Jacob Cohen, Kaylee Renaud and I (Max Cohen) to help kids understand the coronavirus pandemic. The short film focuses on the nature of the virus, what is currently being done to fight against Covid-19m, and what young people can do to help, too. Originally written as an eBook for a contest through the Emory University Global Health Institute, the project was later adapted into an animated film. Due to the limitations of quarantine, the creators had to find fun and unique ways to collaborate while working on the creative project remotely.
The Virus and Us is divided into four parts. The animation begins with an explanation of the basic symptoms of the virus so that kids are able to identify the signs in those around them. The second section, focused on healthcare workers, is meant to reassure kids that if someone in their family gets sick there are people who can take care of them. This segment also introduces a character wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) in an effort to familiarize young people with safety gear and give them a sense of what it looks like. The third section shifts to what can be done by everyone–at home and throughout the world–to help prevent the spread of infection. The final section demonstrates the power of the individual during this pandemic, highlighting the ways in which people everywhere can work together to protect one another from contagion. It concludes with a message of hope: that we will all be able to celebrate, and mourn together, when the time comes. Our goal was to provide a glimpse of that feeling we are striving toward and to imagine the elation we will all feel when the pandemic finally comes to an end.
Although some places around the world are attempting to end shelter-in-place restrictions, the need for physical distancing and other harm-reduction strategies will persist into the near future. Children are capable of influencing the world around them and we wanted to give them knowledge to feel safer during this difficult time.
Thanks for watching,
Max
