Coronavirus: A book for children (ages 5 to 9)

This free digital book explains the coronavirus to children, with pictures from Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler and text by staff at Nosy Crow publications, with expert input from Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist.

I read the book to both of my children (7 and 10) and thought it was very good - particularly the part urging children to get along with everyone in their households!
- Jennifer

https://nosycrow.com/blog/released-today-free-information-book-explaining-coronavirus-children-illustrated-gruffalo-illustrator-axel-scheffler/

To mask or not to mask?

Face-coverings are increasingly being recommended by authorities as a protective measure that helps prevent the spread of Covid-19, especially by those who are (unwitting) asymptomatic carriers.

"Asia may have been right about coronavirus and face masks, and the rest of the world is coming around" [CNN]

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/01/asia/coronavirus-mask-messaging-intl-hnk/index.html

Please note: Nobody is advocating that N95 respirator masks, currently in such short supply, be worn by anybody except medical personnel.

Incidentally, N95 masks have a fascinating history that involves creepy bird masks, bra design, and karmic retribution for racism.

"The untold origin story of the N95 mask" [Fast Company]

https://www.fastcompany.com/90479846/the-untold-origin-story-of-the-n95-mask


Updated to add:
If you're not the crafty type, this tutorial will show you how to turn a T-shirt or handkerchief into a face mask.

"How to make a non-medical coronavirus face mask – no sewing required" [The Guardian]
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/06/how-to-make-no-sew-face-mask-coronavirus

Social distancing explained in 11 seconds

Pretty clever, no? Such an elegant way to illustrate how simple choices can disrupt exponential spread. The more people who see this visualization, the better.

Luckily for all of us, Siouxsie Wiles and Toby Morris of The Spinoff have thoughtfully designated this GIF as CC-BY-SA. That means you're encouraged to share, repost, and republish it—just don't forget to give credit where it's due!

How does this pandemic compare?

Some people need escapism right now. Others take comfort in stark realism and pure facts, even when it gets a bit grimdark. The latter group will like this rather stunning infographic, which depicts plagues throughout history as flamboyantly spiky anemone blobs.

Visualizing the History of Pandemics [Visual Capitalist]
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/history-of-pandemics-deadliest/

The Naming of COVID-19

What's in a Name? Why WHO's Formal Name for the New Coronavirus Disease Matters

https://time.com/5782284/who-name-coronavirus-covid-19/

Coronavirus Comic for Kids

A cute comic from National Public Radio explaining the coronavirus to kids in an accessible way. Also available as a printable zine and in Chinese.

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus

Glossary for COVID-19 (Mandarin Chinese)

This resource is for folks who want to have a conversation with their Chinese friends or family about COVID-19. At the moment, misinformation about the pandemic is running rampant in all languages. That means we all have a part to play in cooling panic and relaying the facts.

Here's the Mandarin Chinese vocabulary you'll need to explain the importance of social distancing. (Bonus: It's also great if you and grandma are feeling gossipy and just want to tsk-tsk about certain world leaders.)

Note: If you have loved ones who primarily consume news and media in another language, do consider compiling a glossary of your own -- and making it available to others. Intergenerational communication is really important right now!

Social distancing: what does it mean?

How long does the coronavirus last on surfaces?

The study by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) which tested the survival of the novel coronavirus in the air and on surfaces has now been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Links are provided below, including a couple of articles which break down the findings.
[updated 20 March 2020]

Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973

How long does the coronavirus last on surfaces?
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200317-covid-19-how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces

How long does coronavirus last on a sink? On an Amazon box?

Tests show the COVID-19 virus can be detected for up to three days on some surfaces
https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article241105301.html

Can you get COVID-19 twice?

Short answer: it seems likely that most people develop some kind of immunity.

The Independent:
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/coronavirus-immunity-reinfection-get-covid-19-twice-sick-spread-relapse-a9400691.html

The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/the-big-question-over-coronavirus-can-a-person-get-it-twice

Swimming pool metaphor

David Sheehan uses a swimming pool metaphor to explain to his kid:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10114524814831509&id=6817463