COVID-19, Comics, and the Visual Culture of Contagion

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One cultural response to the disruption and uncertainty during an infectious disease outbreak is the construction of what is sometimes called the “outbreak narrative”, a formulaic plot that serves to shape our collective understanding of a pandemic.

This narrative traces the emergence and spread of a novel pathogen and the scientific, social, and political responses to the outbreak. In doing so, the outbreak narrative emphasises the breakdown of boundaries, the sites of infection, the social interactions that are disrupted and enacted, and the efforts of science to contain the spread and find a cure. In our increasingly visual society, images are a vital component of the outbreak narrative and more broadly contribute to the visual culture of contagion.

Comics, as both a visual medium and cultural product, are important contributions to the visual culture of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: COVID-19, Comics, and the Visual Culture of Contagion

    Views 596

    You Are Not Alone: Help Is Available If You Experience Violence or Abuse

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    The poster “You Are Not Alone: Help Is Available If You Experience Violence or Abuse”, available in English and Siswati, targets women and families to have a safety plan and access local violence/abuse support services. The material was developed as a response to a noted increase in domestic violence due to COVID-19 lockdown period.

    Source: You Are Not Alone: Help Is Available If You Experience Violence or Abuse

      Views 814

      If You Are Experiencing Any Form of Violence or Abuse

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      This poster targets women and children who may be experience abuse or violence in the home.

      The key messages, in English and Siswati, encourage women to reach out to supportive family, friends, or neighbours for support, provide local emergency contact numbers to call, and to seek out locally available support services.

      Source: If You Are Experiencing Any Form of Violence or Abuse

        Views 857

        Men: We Care About You, Help Is Available

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        This short video is targeted to men to prevent violence and abuse and encourage them to seek help.

        Spoken through the compassionate words of a Swaziland Action Against Abuse (SWAGAA) male counselor, men are encouraged to take proactive action to prevent violence by expressing their emotions and reaching out for professional support services available in country.

        Source: Men: We Care About You, Help Is Available

          Views 777

          Running after Myths and Rumors

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          This video was shared on Facebook. It discourages listening to myths and rumors such as those that claim that antibiotics or eating garlic can cure coronavirus. It is important not to listen to rumors, but to get correct information from reliable sources.

          Source: Running after Myths and Rumors

            Views 929

            Know What to do if You Have COVID-19 Symptoms or Have Been Exposed to COVID-19

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            Washington state produced a series of animations in English and Spanish (15-, 30- and 60-second versions) and associated posters and social media content that repurposes the video content. The goal of these materials is to help people understand what they should do if they have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 – get tested, participate in contact tracing, stay home.

            Source: Know What to do if You Have COVID-19 Symptoms or Have Been Exposed to COVID-19

              Views 996