Saudi MOH: New MERS Awareness Video PSAs

 

 

# 9704

 

Over the next few weeks and months the Saudi MOH – under new leadership (see December’s Saudi King Appoints New MOH Amid Sweeping Changes To Ministries) – is expected to have to deal with another spring wave of the MERS coronavirus.  

 

And if it is anything like last year, it could be a very busy few months.

 

Already this week we are seeing signs of an uptick in cases (5 yesterday) and an exported case to the Philippines, and Arabic twitter is carrying both rumors and denials of additional cases this afternoon.

 

This time last year there was a huge amount of internal debate over whether camels were a possible vector (see Saudi MOA Spokesman: Camel Link Unproven), hospitals were still not taking the infectious disease risk seriously, and the risks to the public were downplayed by the MOH.

 

Fortunately, the Saudi MOH now seems fully onboard with the idea that camels are an infection risk, we’ve seen some strong messaging to the health sector about infection control (see Saudi MOH: `Veros_Korona’), and last month we even saw the Saudi MOH Close A Riyadh Dialysis Center Over MERS Concerns.

 

Today, the Saudi MOH has released a series of short informational videos on the Coronavirus, with both English and Arabic versions.  

 

These videos focus on corona transmission and safety in the workplace, the potential for contracting the virus from camels and camel products, and guidance of the use of facemasks. 

 

They, and many others – mostly in Arabic - can be found on the Saudi MOH Youtube Channel.

 

These videos were only posted within the past few hours, and are showing up on twitter and other Arabic social sites.  While none of this tells us how successful the MOH will be in dealing with the MERS threat over the next few months, this does suggest a higher degree of engagement than we’ve seen previously. 

 

A hopeful sign, perhaps.  

 

In any event, below you’ll find links to the English language versions of these MERS PSAs.  

 

0:42

Important guidelines outline how to handle camels to avoid infection of #Corona Virus

  

1:28

Important guidance on the use of Masks

  

• 2:08

• Fighting Infections of #Corona in Workplaces

  

BBC: The Pandemic Flu Warning You Haven’t Seen . . . Yet

 

 

# 5605

 

 

 

Finding the right content, and tone, to deliver in a TV or radio PSA (public service announcement) during a global crisis like a pandemic has been the subject of much debate over the past few years.

 

Crisis communicators want the public to take a threat seriously, but they don’t want to push too hard, for fear alienating a portion of the public who may choose to tune out an overly ominous warning.

 

During the comparatively mild pandemic of 2009, PSAs were  fairly low-key. Designed to inform, but not inflame the public. 

 

In the UK, the fairly innocuous CATCH IT. BIN IT. KILL IT. was selected as being the appropriate response to a comparatively mild threat.

 

In the United States, the HHS even solicited PSA submissions from the public, resulting in many clever submissions and with the winner of the competition being Dr. John Clarke and his H1N1 Rap.

 

You can view the top 10 entries in my blog Vote For Your Favorite PSA.

 

In 2008, a year before the pandemic, I wrote about a PSA (see Reaching For the 2x4) produced by the The Ohio Department of Health that critics called ominous' and `chilling' while the Ohio Department of Health called them `edgy'.

 

 

Its one thing to run a `scary’ campaign before a crisis arises, quite another when a threat is imminent.

 

So the following year, when the H1N1 pandemic began and it was apparent it wasn’t going to be the killer flu that had been feared, the `big guns’ were left holstered.

 

But public health agencies – in their ongoing preparations for a serious pandemic – continue to work on finding the `right’ message. 

 

The BBC today has convinced (via a Freedom of Information Request) the UK’s DOH to release one of their proposed PSAs – created in 2006 when H5N1 bird flu was on everyone’s radar – that was intended for use during a severe pandemic sometime in the future.

 

You can read the BBC article, and view the video at:

 

Pandemic flu advert revealed by Department of Health

 

This particular PSA eschews the kind of stark imagery shown in the Ohio video above – and uses dominos as a metaphor for an illness sweeping inexorably across the globe.

 

Still, it manages to convey a menacing tone. 

 

Finding the `right message’ before, during, and after a crisis is a constant struggle. What resonates with one segment of the public may very well turn off another.

 

The pandemic threat from H5N1, and other novel viruses, has not gone away. While pandemics often occur decades apart, there are no guarantees that another won’t begin this year or next.

 

So public health agencies will continue to work to fine-tune their messages, looking for the right combination of imagery and advice that will prompt the desired response from the public without arousing unwanted alarm or antipathy.

NFID Influenza Poll

 

 

 

# 5257

 

 

For a society that has just only recently emerged from a year-long influenza pandemic – one that consumed cable, broadcast, and print news coverage for months – our level of influenza awareness remains dismally low.

 

At least, if we are to go by the results of a recent poll conducted on behalf of the NFID (National Foundation for Infectious Diseases).

 

According to this national poll conducted in November of last year, nearly seven out of 10 Americans (68%) did not realize that flu viruses can travel five to six feet from a sneeze or a cough.

 

My first response was, `You have to be kidding. Right?”

 

But apparently, they aren’t kidding. 

 

Worse, two-thirds (66%) admitted to going to work, school, or pursuing their regular daily activities even when they have flu symptoms.

 

If influenza were just a temporary inconvenience, a benign misery from which everyone recovers, then this would simply be inexcusably bad manners.  

 

But influenza – even in a `normal’ flu season -  kills thousands of people each year.

 

Yet somehow, we take it lightly.  We treat covering our coughs and sneezes in public, or staying home when we are likely contagious, as optional.

 

In the fall of 2009 (see Take the Pledge), during the peak of the pandemic, west coast preparedness advocate @CarolDn tweeted:

 

If you get sick, pledge to yourself: "This germ stops with me" Don't pass it forward.

 

I liked the sentiment so much, I featured it repeatedly over that winter.   Carol had the right idea then, and it remains the right idea every flu season.

 

In their ongoing attempt to try to convince Americans to take influenza seriously, the NFID has launched a new winter influenza awareness campaign.

 

You can read more about this survey, and the campaign, in this press release.

 

 

ARE YOU READY TO FACE “THAT GUY” THIS FLU SEASON?

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases launches Are You That Guy? campaign to urge Americans to see a doctor and limit contact with others when flu symptoms strike

BETHESDA, MD, January 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Have you ever ventured out of the house, gone to a business meeting or traveled by air when you thought you might have the flu? If you answered yes, you are among a majority of Americans who fessed up in a recent survey to being “that guy” who goes about his or her day despite experiencing the sudden onset of fever, aches and chills – commonly recognized symptoms of the flu.

 

As the U.S. flu season peaks, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) has launched Are You That Guy?, a national influenza educational campaign that encourages personal and social responsibility by raising awareness of how easily the flu virus spreads.

 

According to a recent national poll, almost seven out of 10 Americans (68%) did not realize that flu viruses can travel five to six feet from a sneeze or a cough, and two-thirds (66%) admitted to going about their daily activities despite experiencing flu symptoms.

 

“It’s easy to downplay the signs of influenza, particularly when daily obligations call,” said Dr. Susan J. Rehm, NFID medical director and vice chairman of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Cleveland Clinic. “While many of us feel we can power through the flu without getting others sick by avoiding shared objects or shaking hands, it’s important to remember that the influenza virus is commonly spread through the air and can travel up to six feet away when someone coughs, sneezes or even speaks.”

 

“Influenza is serious and highly-contagious,” added Dr. Rehm. “Vaccination and good hygiene habits are important steps to avoid getting the flu. If you have flu symptoms, it’s important to act quickly, see a doctor and follow your doctor’s advice. No one wants to be ‘that guy’ who puts others at risk for flu.”

(Continue . . . )

HHS Unveils Flu Shot PSA Campaign

 

# 4126

 

 

 

Now that flu vaccine supplies are increasing across the nation, the HHS is preparing to release their H1N1 flu shot PSA campaign.  Up until now, there was little point in publicly pushing the shots, since demand far outstripped supply.

 

Together We Can All Fight the Flu is a series of 10 video and 10 audio PSAs that run from 10 seconds to 30 seconds in length, and are available (along with transcripts) at Flu.gov. 

 

 

Together We Can All Fight the Flu (Audio)

• Parents – Fight the Flu (transcript)

• Parents – Fight the Flu Spanish (transcript)

• Parents – Fight the Flu (transcript)

• Parents – Fight the Flu Spanish (transcript)

• Pregnant – Fight the Flu (transcript)

• Pregnant – Fight the Flu Spanish (transcript)

• Pregnant – Fight the Flu (transcript)

• Pregnant – Fight the Flu Spanish (transcript)

• Young Adult – Fight the Flu (transcript)

• Young Adult – Fight the Flu (transcript)

 

 

According to the CDC 73 million doses of vaccine have  now been made available to the states, and another 10 million doses are expected this week. 

 

You’ll find additional PSAs for the pandemic and the flu vaccine on this page, including:

 

Sid the Science Kid Gets a Flu Shot

Elmo Flu PSAs 

Celebrity PSAs

2009 Flu Prevention PSA Contest Finalists & Special Mentions

HHS: A Plethora Of PSAs

 

 

# 3894

 

Now that a pandemic vaccine is becoming available, it makes sense for the HHS and CDC to begin promoting the idea that getting the shot is a good idea.

 

To that end, they’ve produced a large number of audio and video PSAs (Public Service Announcements) on flu hygiene and vaccination. These are designed to be run on local TV and radio outlets.

 

But nothing says you can’t send links of your favorite ones to friends.

 

Here is the HHS press release.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 26, 2009

Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

HHS and Sesame Workshop Release 13 New Flu Prevention Radio PSAs Featuring Governors and Elmo

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the availability of thirteen new 30-second flu radio public service announcements (PSA).  These new radio messages feature 13 of America’s governors and Elmo from Sesame Street.  The messages, which will be promoted to radio stations across the country, promote key flu prevention messages to parents and children.

 

Children and young adults continue to be disproportionately effected by H1N1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of the hospitalizations from 2009 H1N1 flu reported recently were people age 24 and younger.  That’s why HHS has teamed up with Sesame Workshop and other partners to promote flu prevention PSAs aimed at educating children and their parents about the importance of getting vaccinated.

 

“Elmo has emerged as one of our best partners in fighting the flu this year,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “That’s why we are excited for Elmo to join some of the nation’s governors in promoting important flu prevention tips. We know that kids are especially vulnerable against H1N1, and we hope that hearing flu prevention tips from Elmo will help them stay healthy and flu free.”

 

These new 30-second radio ads are designed for broadcast in states around the country. All of the new ads are available for download at http://www.flu.gov/psa/psacongress.html.

 

All of the latest flu PSAs are available on www.flu.gov/psa/.   The new radio PSAs include recordings from:

Gov. M. Jodi Rell of Connecticut, Gov. Chet Culver of Iowa, Gov. Mark Parkinson of Kansas, Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri, Gov. Bev Perdue of North Carolina, Gov. John Hoeven of North Dakota, Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio, Gov. Brad Henry of Oklahoma, Gov. Ted Kulongoski of Oregon, Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont, Gov. Chris Gregoire of Washington, and Gov. Dave Freudenthal of Wyoming.

 

 

To view the full range of PSAs available, use the top link below.  To look for state or region specific PSAs use the second link.

 

Flu Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

 

What to Do About the Flu: Congressional and State PSAs

Referral: PSA Roundup On John Solomon’s Blog

 

# 3742

 

 

John Solomon, who writes the In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog column, has a roundup of the HHS’s  Pandemic Flu PSA contest where you can vote for your favorite on Youtube until midnight tonight.

 

Yesterday, I picked `Chainsaw’ as my personal favorite, but today you can get, via John’s blog, the the picks of a number of others in the social media, public health and/or emergency preparedness internet world.

 

 

With Voting Ending Tonight, Some ‘Endorsements’ In #H1N1 Flu.Gov Citizen Video PSA Election

 

You’ve still got time to vote (ends midnight, Sept 16th).   Go make your preference known.

Last Call For Voting On The HHS PSA Contest

 

 

# 3737

 

 

 

The HHS has been soliciting homebrew PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) for this fall’s flu campaign over the summer, with a $2500 prize going to the best one submitted.

 

More than 200 entries were received, and the HHS selection committee has narrowed the field down to 10. 

 

It is now up to the public to vote for their favorite PSA.  Voting will run through September 16th.  

Go watch them all, and vote for your favorite.  The videos are on the HHS’s Youtube Channel.

 

All of these PSAs are extremely well done, and some are very clever.   They run 30 seconds apiece (except for 1- 60 second entry).  

 

My congratulations to all of the entrants.  Nicely done.

 

My favorite, btw, is the chainsaw.  Very droll.