Link to original press release.
ISLAMABAD, 30th July 2020: This year the world has been focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, and prevention and precaution against this grave and potentially life threatening illness has been the main message when it comes to keeping the health emergency under control.
While the disease is dire, the public message does not need to be. Shehzad Roy, singer and humanitarian, tells the story about the adventures of a family of Covid19 viruses trying to infect everyone they can using an engaging mix of animated and real life footage. The core message is that even if one does not feel any symptoms (i.e. is an asymptomatic carrier), precautionary measures are necessary to stop the spread of Covid19 and save lives.
The video has been endorsed and shared by local and international corporations, civil society organisations, politicians, sportsmen and celebrities.
The European Union, which is committed to supporting Pakistan in the prevention and fight against COVID-19, has allocated 150 million Euros to the cause.
Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Androulla Kaminara said, “Since we were unable to mark the traditional annual Europe Day, the EU Delegation and Member States wanted to increase awareness efforts to combat COVID-19. As such, the financing was repurposed for awareness campaigns. We partnered with Shehzad Roy and this video is the result. It is being released in time for Eid and we hope that as many people as possible will join us in spreading this important message in Urdu, Punjabi, Pashtu and Sindhi.
Shehzad Roy said, “A few days ago my family and myself contracted the Corona virus infection. With Allah’s blessings, we are all fine now. The least I could do was try to create awareness before Eid. In this video you will see what the virus looks like, how it attacked us and how can we destroy it forever.
The video can be viewed in Urdu and other regional languages at the links below:
Urdu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyAEkqzsRNU(link is external)
Sindhi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEY6JipJdak(link is external)
Pushto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9OwYYk-NMg(link is external)