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Talking to Children about Illness and Death of a Loved One during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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In the midst of the devastating death toll and hospitalizations from COVID-19, the psychological effect of the pandemic on children has been sadly overlooked.

The overwhelming media coverage and barrage of public health messages sustain a high level of physical and emotional threat within our communities, which is intensely observed by children. Age-appropriate explanations are paramount to ensure children have a coherent narrative and emotional support for their experiences. This article offers some guidelines on talking to children about these issues.

Source: Talking to Children about Illness and Death of a Loved One during the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Views 476

    COVID-19: Resources to Address Gender-based Violence Risks

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    This resource provides practitioners with key resources to support the integration of GBV risk mitigation into COVID-19 response. It will be frequently updated as the crisis unfolds.

    Source: COVID-19: Resources to Address Gender-based Violence Risks

      Views 931

      Religious Leaders Play Key Role in Battle against COVID-19

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      Religious leaders throughout Bangladesh – including in the Rohingya refugee camps – have agreed to play a key role in the battle against the COVID-19 virus.

      Mosque megaphones are traditionally used by imams to call the faithful to prayer. But they now serve an extra purpose: to disseminate key public health messages.

      Imams play an important role in Bangladesh because they hold the trust of millions of worshipers in what is a predominantly Muslim country. UNICEF and the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh (IFB) – a government organization that works under the Ministry of Religious Affairs – have worked together for the wellbeing of women and children since 2017.

      Source: Religious Leaders Play Key Role in Battle against COVID-19

        Views 519

        Basic Psychosocial Skills: A Guide for COVID-19 Responders

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        This Guide aims to help orient people supporting the COVID-19 response to integrate psychosocial support skills into their daily work, thereby making a difference to the well-being of people they come into contact with during the pandemic. More specifically, the Guide is intended for health and social workers; emergency responders; people working in food stores, public transport, funeral parlours and pharmacies; employers and managers; and people who are providing support to vulnerable family members or members of their community.

        The illustrated chapters provide practical advice for taking care of one’s own mental well-being, communicating with empathy, and helping people suffering from stress or severe distress. Case studies and tips to remember are included throughout.

        Source: Basic Psychosocial Skills: A Guide for COVID-19 Responders

          Views 755

          Symptoms of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

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          People affected by COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild to severe illness. This infographic provides information on COVID-19 symptoms and is intended for general and low literacy audience and is available for download in English and Hindi.

          Source: Symptoms of Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19)

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            Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention measures

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            As we get used to the ‘new normal’, following preventive measures is still our best defence against the invisible COVID-19. This infographic designed for low literacy audience visually reinforces the most critical steps that can help reduce the chances of infection and transmission. These infographics are available for download in English/Hindi.

            Source: Coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention measures

              Views 789

              COVID-19 Guide for Community Health Workers

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              Community health workers (CHWs) serve as a very important direct link between patients, communities and health services. As trusted on-the-ground support to community members, they therefore expand access to essential healthcare information as well as available treatment and prevention programmes.

              This course book provides appropriate, cost-effective, and sustainable targeted learning for the large numbers of emerging community health workers in South Africa.

              This online book includes these chapters:

              1. Introduction to COVID-19
              2. Diagnosing and managing COVID-19
              3. How to prevent the spread of COVID-19
              4. Protecting yourself from COVID-19

              ​​​​​​These chapters have been successfully used as part of the Skills to Care learning programme for the Lukhanji Municipality and Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, funded by the Small Projects Foundation.

              Source: COVID-19 Guide for Community Health Workers

                Views 890

                Considerations for School-related Public Health Measures in the Context of COVID-19

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                In response to COVID-19, countries around the world have implemented several public health and social measures (PHSM), such as movement restrictions, closure of schools and businesses, and international travel restrictions.

                As the local epidemiology of the disease changes, countries will adjust (i.e. loosen or reinstate) these measures according to the intensity of transmission. WHO has issued guidance on adjusting PHSM while managing the risk of resurgence of cases.2 A series of annexes has been developed to help guide countries through adjusting various public health measures in different contexts. This annex provides considerations for decision-makers and educators on how or when to reopen or close schools in the context of COVID-19. These decisions have important implications for children, parents or caregivers, teachers and other staff, communities, and society at large.3 This document was drafted based a review of available literature, discussion with experts, regional partners and country examples.

                Source: Considerations for School-related Public Health Measures in the Context of COVID-19

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                  Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

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                  This interim guidance is intended for administrators of public and private child care programs and K-12 schools. Administrators are individuals who oversee the daily operations of child care programs and K-12 schools, and may include positions like child care program directors, school district superintendents, principals, and assistant principals.

                  This guidance is intended for administrators at both the school/facility and district level. Why is this guidance being issued? This guidance will help child care programs, schools, and their partners understand how to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 within child care and school communities and facilities. It also aims to help child care programs, schools, and partners react quickly should a case be identified. The guidance includes considerations to help administrators plan for the continuity of teaching and learning if there is community spread of COVID-19.

                  Source: Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

                    Views 487

                    CoronaCombat: Leveraging Games for COVID-19 Awareness

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                    On April 10th, GRID launched CoronaCombat, a video game that raises awareness and provides accurate information on the new coronavirus and related COVID-19 disease. CoronaCombat not only provides players with reliable information but also empowers them to question misinformation. The player goes through a fact-seeking, myth-busting journey aimed at combating the new coronavirus, all while having a great time! All content in the game is sourced from WHO, CDC and JHU websites. The current version is available in English and Urdu languages and can be played for free here.

                    We are currently looking for collaborators who can help us in the following ways:
                    • Translating and localizing the game into other regional languages to scale its reach
                    • Expanding the game design to incorporate animated gameplay that can capture the concepts of social distancing, practicing hygiene and flattening the curve.
                    • Incorporating linkages to real-life resources including sources of accurate, updated information, health facilities that have testing capacity, contact tracing, two-way communication etc.

                    What is GRID?

                    Gaming Revolution for Inspiring Development is a social impact gaming studio where we create mobile games to inspire positive behavior change. GRID is mainstreaming games in the social sector, not only in the US but also globally. By creating context-vigilant games (in local languages) for low-end smartphones, GRID has opened up the possibility of using games to educate, engage and empower people in all aspects of their lives irrespective of where they live. We have created games on reproductive health (MoHiM, Nari Paila (made in partnership with IRH) & SurrEndo) on compassion for animals (KritterKneads), climate change (EarthFenders), Math learning (Calculasia) and are currently working on games on financial literacy (FINechANCE), opioid crisis, child protection and entrepreneurship.

                    Source: CoronaCombat: Leveraging Games for COVID-19 Awareness

                      Views 923