[DrumBeatnet] COVID-19 - Required Strategies?
Drawing from your communication, social change, behaviour change, media for development, community engagement and/or research and policy development experience, knowledge, skill, and insight ...
... in your assessment, what are the three strategic and/or programming priorities and actions for an effective response to COVID-19?
(Please either reply by email or click on this link above and below this post "Please click to review, comment and access any attachments" and post on the platform. )
1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
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Warren
Comments
The question we should be asking
I think your argument is completely valid, the question we should be asking is not whether prisoners should be released but rather which prisoners should be released.
Best
Rehad
Overcrowded; Deprived of Water
Greetings from Nairobi and thanks for your valuable and very relevant insights. (Ed - Open the jail cells of poverty and discrimination?)
Reflecting on Kenya and using two cities as case studies, 62 percent and 41 percent of the inhabitants of Kisumu and Nairobi live in urban informal settlements respectively. These settlements are ordinarily overcrowded; deprived of Water Sanitation and Health services necessary for the prescribed hand-washing and sanitizing; and characterized by poor and road networks that make emergency evacuation impossible.
As governments across the world increasingly adopt total lock-downs to restrict movement and curb the spread of the virus, for these populations such a measure would spell a death sentence. This is because of the widespread unemployment and poverty that compels them to daily casual work with poor daily wages barely adequate to sustain them for the next 48 hours.
I therefore concur with you that beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, human rights agencies and believers should embark on a global movement aimed at freeing these populations from their perpetual yet largely invisible prisons.
Yours Sincerely
Pascal Masila Mailu
Sara cov 2 in slums
Dear Robert
Of course that to prevent Sara cov 2 in slums is almost impossibile. Luckily enough africans react better to this virus and the heat does is part like ventilation as well.
Concerning jails those are governmental and if something happen the Government will have to take responsibility.
Regards
Natalia
Social distancing and Self-isolation in crowded settings
My friend and former UNICEF colleague, Alan Brody, shared this excellent article from the Guardian that seems very pertinent to our discussion. It's realistic about the limited feasibility of social distancing and self-isolation in crowded settings of extreme poverty, and emphasizes the science of face masks as the next-best solution for flattening the pandemic curve. Lessons for SBCC are obvious.
I'm taking the liberty of sharing the note Alan sent to his family:
It is becoming clear that the major transmission route of the virus is airborne droplets. It has also now been established that infected but non-symptomatic persons with covid-19 produce and distribute those droplets, even via talking (or singing!)
Like the common cold, the novel corona virus 2019 can initially begin to replicate in the nasal and throat passages, where the viral load can quickly increase (and be shed into the environment). As with many viruses (such as measles), the period following the initial infection, before the immune system can respond and before symptoms appear, quickly becomes the time of highest viral load and infectiousness.
The article suggests that if persons recently infected, with or without symptoms, wore simple cloth masks (even bandanna or balaclava style), this would block spreading of about 99% of the virus-laden droplets from them to others. Let me quote (from the Guardian article by Jeremy Howard):
In a paper published in Nature on Friday, a five-year study from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Maryland has found that a simple non-fitted mask blocked 100% of coronavirus droplets and aerosol. There's a vast chasm between what the science is showing and what many countries are doing. Masks may be the most important weapon in our war on the virus. But we're not even using it.
With 6-18 months to go before we have a vaccine (if then), this knowledge about masks is the "miracle" we have been looking for. The article suggests that if 50% of the public started wearing masks, we could cut in half the number of Covid-19 cases; but if over 80% of the public wore masks, we would largely stop transmission (similar to vaccines, where achieving 80% coverage of a vaccine creates "herd immunity.")
The only trouble is, I can't fully protect "me" by wearing such a mask; only "you" (and everyone else) can protect "me." And you need "me" to help protect "you." "
Working in rural communities
To us working in rural communities where the vast majority is illiterate and lack access to information, we have no option other than door to door sensitization. We refuse all forms of community educative talks and focus on interpersonal communication and home visits. During these home visits our trained team wear face masks, gloves and carry each 50ml hand sanitizer.
Our greatest challenge now is finding funding to provide face masks to our rural population. We strongly believe if everyone wears a facemask it will reduce the potential spread of the virus in places such as streams and boreholes.
Mufumbwe District of Zambia
Dear Felico,
Hi. Please I need your help to find a partner for me to excited a Covid-19 rural project in Mufumbwe District of Zambia.
I need some materials,etc.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Victor
Need Some Materials
Dear Victor,
Could you please present a brief overview of your project? This will allo us know what materials will suit your project.
Cheers
Grand Job
Dear Felico,
That's a grand job you're doing considering the risks therein. there's an entity called The Pollination Project (T.P.P.). They have $10,000 for this CoViD-19 mitigation. Good luck!
Daniel
Rural communities
To us working in rural communities where the vast majority is illiterate and lack access to information, we have no option other than door to door sensitization. We refuse all forms of community educative talks and focus on interpersonal communication and home visits. During these home visits our trained team wear face masks, gloves and carry each 50ml hand sanitizer. Our greatest challenge now is finding funding to provide face masks to our rural population. We strongly believe if everyone wears a facemask it will reduce the potential spread of the virus in places such as streams and boreholes.
Masks: WHO evidence
Hello Felico,
You say: "Our greatest challenge now is finding funding to provide face masks to our rural population. We strongly believe if everyone wears a facemask it will reduce the potential spread of the virus in places such as streams and boreholes."
Current WHO evidence states: 'there is currently no evidence that wearing a mask (whether medical or other types) by healthy persons in the wider community setting, including universal community masking, can prevent them from infection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19'.
We are discussing this and other issues on HIFA (www.hifa.org).
Best wishes,
Neil Pakenham-Walsh (HIFA Coordinator)
The Pollination Project
Dear Felico,
That's a grand job you're doing considering the risks therein. there's an entity called The Pollination Project (T.P.P.). They have $10,000 for this CoViD-19 mitigation.Good luck!Daniel
Grand job considering the risks
Dear Felico,
That's a grand job you're doing considering the risks therein. there's an entity called The Pollination Project (T.P.P.). They have $10,000 for this CoViD-19 mitigation.Good luck!Daniel
The Perils of Proximity
SBCC practitioners facing the challenge of promoting "social distancing" in poor communities will appreciate this NYT frontpage article highlighting the "perils of proximity".
Although it focusses on the US, it certainly applies ten-fold to developing countries and marginalized communities around the world, where physical and structural barriers are so much worse.
What the article does NOT cover are the coping mechanisms and innovative solutions that can be found even under conditions of crowding and extreme disadvantage. It would be great to share here what some of these practices are and how you are translating them into messages and SBCC programs.
This thread is so great as the need for sharing experiences and supporting one another has never been greater. Thank you all!
'Fear message' around COVID-19
All of Hollywood's fantasies and science fiction seem to be playing out in real life as the world comes together to take on the #coronavirus. (note: not the 'dreaded' corona and that's for a reason). Tragically, a few days ago, a man suspected to be infected, jumped off from the 7th floor of the hospital in Delhi where he was taken, to his death. We also had the quote of a chief minister of an Indian state who remarked that there would be 'shoot at sight' at anyone who violated the lockdown over corona.
This brings us to the all-pervading mood of the people - fear, panic, alarm, and for good reason. The heartrending visuals of coffins in Italy, the stories of people dying alone, the unprecedented global lockdowns have made this the most urgent challenge in recent human memory, a challenge ... For the full blog please click here: Why we should not 'fear message' around COVID-19
HUB - COVID-19 Communication and Community Engagement
Gender Analysis - COVID-19
COVID-19, like all health emergencies, is not gender-neutral, and neither should the global health response be. Many of the official strategies and guidelines tackling the current novel coronavirus crisis are uninformed by gender analysis, despite existing evidence of the impact of gender norms, roles and relations on health emergencies. Gender-informed approaches in COVID-19 –related communications are also largely missing.
COVID-19 exposes women, men and people with non-binary identities to different vulnerabilities. Gender-based violence (GBV) is increasing, women and girls' access to essential sexual and reproductive health services [PDF] is dwindling, and women continue to shoulder the burden of care work - at homes and in hospitals - while men largely lead natonal and global health structures. The long-term economic and social impacts of the crisis are likely to hit women the hardest. Men may have ... For the full contribution please click here: Why gender-responsive communication interventions are critical in the battle against COVID-19
Gender - largely neglected
Dear SiniRamo,
Very thoughtful of you to share an insightful and relevant communication response to Covid19 — Gender Analysis - COVID-19 - that is largely neglected. I am a co-lead in Pakistan's Shelter home initiative to support migrant labour workers. I found the strategy shared by you a very timely intervention. It's a useful guide for communication professionals like me who are engaged in risk communication during health and other emergencies.
My best regards.
Naseem-ur-Rehman
Prime Minister's Focal Person for Shelter homes (Panahgah)
Islamabad, Pakistan
Face masks and COVID-19
Dear Felico (re Working in Rural Communities)
Please be reassured that face masks are a vital prevention measure for COVID-19 prevention. Unfortunately the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance on face masks is not in line with global understanding on this matter. Many countries have adopted their own policies in this regard.
The guidance advanced by WHO urgently needs to be revised. For example, from the WHO guidance of 19 March, also reiterated on 6 April, 2020, the following claims are made:
1) WHO state: A medical mask is not required for people who are not sick as there is no evidence of its usefulness in protecting them. Response: This is incorrect. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease transmitted through respiratory droplets and viral particles emitted when a person speaks, shouts, sings, coughs and sneezes. A person who has COVID-19 is able to transmit the infection during a pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic phase when they feel healthy. When a person feels healthy, they move around freely and are unaware that they may transmit the disease to others. Their ability to transmit is the same as if they were symptomatic. Modelling studies suggest that around 44% of infections are the result of pre-symptomatic/asymptomatic transmission.
2) WHO state: Wearing medical masks when not indicated may result in unnecessary costs and procurement burdens. Response: This concern is readily overcome by using cloth masks, which are effective when used in conjunction with physical distancing of around 1.5m. Cloth masks can be made at home at little or no cost. They do not need to be procured. The means that this vital barrier method for COVID-19 prevention is in everyone's hands. Currently all countries that advocate use of cloth masks emphasize that medical masks must be preserved for health care settings.
3) WHO state: Masks create a false sense of security. Response: I have yet to see the evidence that results in this conclusion that can be inferred from research related to respiratory virus transmission in epidemic circumstances. This is a global pandemic. People are concerned about their health. One has to ask, where is the research that shows that people are risk averse in such circumstances? More to the point, countries advocate combining prevention approaches to improve protection. For example, promoting face masks with physical distancing and hand washing.
4) WHO state: Wearing a face mask would lead to the neglect of other essential measures, such as hand hygiene practices. Response: Why would this be so in the context of an epidemic/pandemic? Where is the evidence? Again, prevention in all countries focuses on combining methods, and people are well aware this is a serious disease. It cannot be inferred up-front that prevention of infection is not 'top of mind'.
5) WHO state: Using a mask incorrectly may hamper its effectiveness in reducing the risk of transmission. Response: Obviously this is a general statement. The very same point could be made hand washing to prevent COVID-19 or using condoms to prevent HIV. This concern does not invalidate promoting masks. Rather, it suggests that all behavioral measures, including those currently advocated, require consistent and correct use. But there are challenges too. For example, hand washing for 20 seconds is not feasible in many settings. At least a cloth face mask can be made at home by anyone, irrespective of their economic circumstances.
To sum up, wearing cloth face mask is now widely considered to be an effective prevention measure when combined with physical distancing of 1.5m. Hand washing at key moments provides protection from transmission through touch contact with surfaces that may carry the virus.
As noted, a number of countries have used face masks at as part of their prevention mix from the outset. In East Asia, the use of surgical face masks was integral to bringing epidemics close to zero new infections in most countries. For example in China, Hong Kong; South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Japan, where face masks are mandatory in high density areas, on public transport, and when shopping or conducting other outdoor activities.
The following countries have introduced cloth face masks into their mix of prevention measures. Most include mandatory wearing of fabric face masks or cloth face coverings in close-contact settings or generally outdoors.
South Asia: India
Europe: Czech Republic; Slovakia; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Poland; Turkey Austria; Germany; Italy; Scotland
Latin America & The Caribbean: Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, Jamaica
North America: United States
Africa: Morocco, Kenya, South Africa
In many countries, factories have been repurposed to produce cloth face masks. This is over and above homemade production.
There is an active global movement of homemade face mask production. Many of these initiatives fall under the masks4all banner which has the slogan 'I protect you, you protect me'. This highlights the importance of wearing a face mask to protect others from the possibility of infection in a situtaion where you may be unknowingly be infected with COVID-19.
All the best for your work on COVID-19 prevention
Anecdotal?
Hi Warren, Thanks for sharing this. Let me preface my comments by saying I'm doing my due diligence and wearing a face mask when I'm in places where it's hard to maintain social distance and in stores and take out restaurants. Largely because I have to now by law.
I think the key phrase here is 'evidence'. Isn't the evidence on 'face mask' wearing preventing transmission of COVID 19 largely anecdotal? Also anecdotal, I've noticed that what the WHO suggests here is actually true. When I go out in grocery stores in Maryland, I see most people wearing masks and almost no one is wearing gloves. Yes, it's transmissible by airborne droplets but we always knew hand hygiene was important. Let's be frank, people don't wash their hands for various reasons - inconvenience, the resulting hands are dry and uncomfortable, etc. So I doubt - but don't have proof- that most of these mask wearing, gloveless people are adequately washing their hands.
We should also be careful about what we say is 'effective'. That means evaluation. The general population is asked to wear 'face coverings' not masks. Not everyone has access to masks. So while 'masks' may be more 'effective', the recommended 'face covering' hasn't really been 'proven' to be. At the very least, I don't think there is any proven 'evidence' that they are.
All this said, this is largely a worthless debate since most governments have enacted laws that force us to adopt a behavior believed to be for the better good, similar to putting fluoride in the water. We wear face coverings and/or masks because it's now mandated by law and reinforced by systems whether or not there is empirical evidence to support it.
Efficacy of face masks
Hi Donna,
The current research literature on COVID-19 attends to any previous gaps in understanding of the efficacy of face masks - especially ubiquitous wearing of face masks to overcome the risks of transmission by pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic persons. There is also literature on the efficiency of cloth barriers and masks - and as you note, face coverings are not equivalent to a better fitting cloth face mask.
Wearing of gloves is not beneficial for prevention as what is required is the prevention of touch contact from the surface of the skin or a glove to one's face. The virus can be carried on the outer surface of a glove as readily as on the skin. People are more likely to wash or sanitise their hands than they are to wash or sanitise the outer surfaces of gloves.
Assuredly, face masks are an essential part of the prevention mix along with physical distancing, hand hygiene, and social distancing measures such as avoiding exposure in crowded settings and being attentive to prevention in indoor settings.
The mask debate
Dear Warren,
Thank you for your commentary on the use of masks.
I have been following the mask debate, as a researcher who has been involved with mulitple RCTs looking at the efficacy of surgical and respirators. I was one of the authors of the only RCT conducted to date on the efficacy of cloth masks, it is important to note that we need to be careful around the language that we use for cloth masks.
They may provide some protection to the wearer and further studies will need to be done to look at the level of effect. But the main rational for their use is around stopping the spread from asymptomatic COVID cases to other people- this is referred to as source control.
I would encourage you to reconsider the following paragraph
2) WHO state: Wearing medical masks when not indicated may result in unnecessary costs and procurement burdens. Response: This concern is readily overcome by using cloth masks, which are effective when used in conjunction with physical distancing of around 1.5m. Cloth masks can be made at home at little or no cost. They do not need to be procured. The means that this vital barrier method for COVID-19 prevention is in everyone's hands. Currently all countries that advocate use of cloth masks emphasize that medical masks must be preserved for health care settings.
When promoting any sort of mask use, it is also important that we highlight that spread of this pathogen may occur via the ocular route so when wearing any sort of respiratory protection, we need to avoid touching our faces, sanitizing or washing hands after touching etc. We also need to get more language out there about how to store masks that are being reused and about washing them after use, if a cloth mask is used.
Too many people are communicating 'just wear a mask' without sufficient guidance to support behaviour. Even condoms come with instructions.
Thanks for your time
Cheers
Holly
Dr Holly Seale
Senior Lecturer
Program Director, Bachelor of International Public Health (BIPH)
National guidance on the introduction of cloth face masks
Hi Holly,
I agree that there is a need for more guidance around contexts of use. Many countries do already have guidance on the other aspects you mention. In South Africa, I contributed to the national guidance on the introduction of cloth face masks and we included extensive information on how to wear a mask, how to care for a mask and how to clean and reuse a mask. We said that users should never share a mask and advise keeping two masks to allow for one to be cleaned and dried while the other was being used. Communication included leaflets, posters and shareable graphics that can be used on broadcast and social media.
The research on cloth face masks for the prevention of respiratory viruse infection has advanced rapidly for COVID-19 and includes information on the high efficiency of multiple layer cloth face masks as a barrier method as well as modelling studies that show marked reductions in the rate of new COVID-19 infections.
As yet, studies have not looked at the relationship between the recommendation for compulsory wearing of facemasks within a 1.5m to 2m distance from others - but it can be inferred that very high levels of protection can be achieved by ubiquitous wearing of face masks in conjunction with physical distancing, and hand hygiene at key moments.
We also need to turn our attention to the risks of duration and dose of exposure. There is extensive evidence that indoor settings pose the highest risk as it is in these settings that exposure is sustained over time in a context of limited ventilation. In these settings, masks make a difference too, and attention to detail as far as correct and consistent use is even more important.
Clinical epidemiology is not good at showing
So I agree with you, clinical epidemiology is not good at showing what works in the real world at population level, and when several interventions combine. People are beginning to wear them here as part of going back to work procedures, still not the majority
Warm regards
Daniel
Masks efficient for preventing infected people from spreading
Hello,
I would like to react on this particular thread regarding use of face masks. (ED - see for example Face masks and COVID-19 ; Working in Rural Communities ; and Masks - WHO Evidence )
WHO (and others) is slowly changing its position toward the usefulness of general use of masks
The point is not that a healthy person wearing a mask would be protected from the contagion (although yes, the risk of contagion is somewhat lower, depending on the type of mask). The point is that this disease goes undetected without symptoms for most people who are infected. They might not have any symptoms yet (or ever) and yet they can spread the disease. And masks are efficient in prevented infected people from spreading the virus.
So the more people wear masks the lower becomes the general risk of contagion in public spaces.
And the development from countries that made wearing masks mandatory confirms this. The spread of Covid-19 is generally slower than in other countries (flatter curve). See particularly cases of Slovakia and Czechia. Specifically Czechia experienced sudden boost of infections quite early on. The fact that the spread has been quite controlled since then is being attributed to early adoption of mandatory use of masks.
I am using these graphs although I am aware that public statistics on the virus are quite unreliable.
best regards
karel novotny
Masks efficient - preventing infected people from spreading
Hi Karel.
We can add to the evidence quite readily through looking at the Asian examples. Following the outbreak in Wuhan, China, masks were prioritised in January and made mandatory in public settings. In Taiwan, exports of face masks were immediately curtailed, and local production ramped up to ensure access to masks for all for COVID-19 prevention. In South Korea, face masks were also required, and in Hong Kong, face masks were readily taken up as a prevention method – in both instances, in early phases of the COVID-19 outbreak. This emphasis on face masks was directly related to previous experiences with the prevention of SARS and influenz epidemics, as well as ongoing understanding that wearing a mask is a social responsibility if you have symptoms of respiratory illness.
In these Asian settings, the use of face masks in conjunction with other measures saw these COVID-19 epidemics contained to very low or no infections within periods of around 70 days.
Singapore was a regional exception, having achieved incidence reduction through various measures excluding face masks. While this approach was initially effective it did not prevent a severe outbreak in worker dormitories that reached very high levels. The response to this second wave by the Singapore government included mandatory requirements for the use of face masks. In combination with other methods, new infections in Singapore are beginning to decline.
The developments in Asia occurred in parallel to the WHO guidance that continuously dismisses face masks for prevention of COVID-19. It is inexplicable that a method that was integral to effective country responses was actively dismissed by WHO when these were considered to be vital in these Asian settings. The WHO response was not simply a caution regarding the lack of availability of medical face masks globally as this concern was not particularly highlighted. Instead, face masks as a prevention method were actively undermined, and I have described how this was achieved in previous commentary.
It is proof enough that more than 50 countries have turned away from the WHO guidance on face masks. Quite simply, it is well understood that face masks are an effective barrier method for minimising the spread of the coronavirus and a vital prevention measure. Apart from the observational evidence in Asia there is plenty of science on the barrier effects of cloth face masks to back this up. The WHO guidance is antithetical to the extensive science of prevention of respiratory infections including influenza, SARS, MERS and now COVID-19. Their persistent lack of reference to the science underpinning SARS-CoV-2 transmission is being highlighted currently in many peer reviewed articles in the research literature on this topic. The dismissal of the preventive benefits of ubiquitous wearing of face masks has cost countless lives. We have a responsibility as health communicators to translate evidence into action. That evidence is not to be found in the guidance from WHO in this instance. We need to move on and focus on our core business - preventing new COVID-19 infections and saving lives.
Interactive Radio Drama Online Training - Theatre for a Change
Interactive Radio Drama is a unique approach that allows audiences to call in and replace the main character in the story, to show what they could do differently to change the story for the better. It enables behaviour change and advocacy to happen on a large scale. In Malawi, we reach over 550,000 listeners through interactive broadcasts each week.
Theatre for a Change is currently working with the Malawi Government as part of their national response to Covid-19, using Interactive Radio Drama to disseminate key Covid-19 messages in participatory ways.
We are now offering online training in this approach to other organisations who are interested in using it as part of their comprehensive response to Covid-19.
Course structure
A. Condensed version – three half days of live interactive online sessions, plus group work between the sessions.
B. Full version – six half days of live interactive online sessions, plus group work between the sessions.
Course
Hi Ryan
I am an Interactive Radio Instructions Specialist but got good news from you that you are running a course. I write to be part of it. Oplease reach me on +265991985803
Thanks
UNICEF Malawi - 5 key actions to prevent COVID-19
UNICEF with support from UKAid is influencing children in Malawi to practice 5 key actions to prevent COVID-19: frequent handwashing with soap, physical distancing, use of the flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing, avoiding touching the face (mouth, nose and eyes) and staying at home. Watch and enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CecQuh1nGM0
For more information: cmauluka@unicef.org
Wonderful initiative
Dear Chancy
Wonderful initiative and I really liked the video and the creativity.
There is my just one suggestion if can be edited as I have seen that there was no mask in the whole video, as we have to focus on the use of mask , so I would like to request you for the same. Please feel free to discuss more about this.
Thanks Surabhi
The COVID-19 Communication and Community Engagement HUB - the Network for Shared Knowledge and Active Dialogue in Support of Effective COVID-19 Action
Wazi YouTube Channel
Dear Chancy
Please add our Animations to the COVID19 and Kids -
Please see our Wazi YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUcNsHc9C3PeckdmIZfFXaA
COVID-19 - Mozambique - communication campaign
Turning the ship around – adapting a long-term SBCC initiative to respond quickly to Covid-19.
PCI Media’s Ouro Negro programme in Mozambique
Covid-19 is forcing many communications organizations to adjust their Entertainment Education programs to address issues around the virus. Like many of you, PCI Media has been considering how to make best use of the assets we have, and the popular programming we already create with our partners.
In 2014, UNICEF Mozambique and PCI Media Impact began our collaboration to produce a radio-drama in Portuguese, an edutainment product to promote children’s and adolescents’ rights and well-being in the country. In 2015, broadcasting started on Radio Mozambique and community radio stations, with stories that address issues related to health, education, child protection and nutrition, among others. Since then Ouro Negro has become a very popular trans-media campaign based around the radio drama, re-purposing content in different formats (drama, live radio shows, theatre plays, etc.) and platforms (radio, television, social media, community theatre etc.), reaching different audiences, from young people to older, both rural and urban. The radio drama is now played on 116 stations every week, and 36 of the stations co-produce their own live call-in shows in 20 different local languages.
As with most complex drama series with many strands of messaging and levels of approval – Ouro Negro is written months in advance of broadcast – so when COVID-19 arose we wondered how we could respond. Fortunately, the many other formats are more flexible, so in discussion with UNICEF we came up with the following:
Special Covid-19 mini-drama series
A series of scenes were written and produced based on the popular characters from Ouro Negro, but focus on social distancing, prevention, hygiene, lockdown and more. We faced two big challenges. The first was getting rapid approval of the scripts and messages – which we did thanks to the long-standing partnerships and trust developed over many seasons. The second was producing the radio pieces while respecting the health and safety of the producers and actors. This involved recording voices one by one and disinfecting the various parts of the studio between each actor. Links to these audio pieces, uploaded to YouTube, can be found at the bottom.
Adapting the radio live show – the new Q&A programme
Ouro Negro ao Vivo – the live, local language call-in shows – have continued throughout the pandemic and usually focus on key issues within the drama episodes. In order not to break that flow, we essentially split the show into two parts – one where a health professional focuses on COVID-19 messaging and the other continues to address the long-running storylines and week’s issues. For the COVID-19 section we connected radio producers with local health personnel who answer listeners’ questions and concerns on air by phone. Our usual in-studio guests are also now taking part by phone.
Adapting the theatre – from community to radio
For some time, we have been adapting scenes from the Ouro Negro drama to highlight specific issues, and creating local language community theatre pieces from them. However, the middle of a pandemic is no time to bring together hundreds of people crowded around a village square to watch and enjoy a theatre show! While in lockdown, we have instead recorded the written theatre pieces for broadcast by our various radio partners. The pieces are produced in enough languages to reach large populations in the North, Centre and South of the country. Though there is no direct, live interaction with audiences which normally give the theatre shows their energy, audience feedback his achieved through calls and SMS to the radio partners, who can then respond live or by text.
Adapting the social media – balancing planned and emergency information
The programme’s popular Facebook page, with over 100,000 followers, has been beefed up with additional Ministry of Health-approved COVID messaging. We have emphasized the connection between existing drama stories and the pandemic, and have added links to all the audio pieces mentioned above. To keep the audiences informed about Covid-19 and entertained, we’ve adopted a strategy of separating our weekly posts between some dedicated to existing storylines from Ouro Negro, others dedicated to COVID issues, messages and questions. So far this mix of products seems to be reaching a large audience, which is accepting and understanding the COVID messaging well. Radio partner reports and Social Media response show that Ouro Negro is contributing to Mozambique’s very strong pandemic response so far – with a population of 31 million people there are currently only 115 confirmed cases and zero deaths.
For more information about PCI Media’s Ouro Negro programme in Mozambique, check the website or email Elena Colonna, Research and Messaging Manager
This is the perfect end to an
This is the perfect end to an incredible day!!!
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