Spreading the message

COVID-19 is yet spreading across the world. Large portions of Europe are facing second lockdowns. All sections and ages of society should be mobilised to create awareness, without terrifying people. Arts like painting and literature can impact behaviour. I have three suggestions.

First, children love painting in every country, at any age. Give a child a sheet of paper, a pencil or some crayons. The child will draw a tree, a house, a cloud. So, governments and schools could initiate drawing competitions, for all school children to show masks being used or maintaining distancing. The children would paint images, but more important, they will understand the precautions to fight COVID-19. Their parents will guide them and they themselves will become more alert to the disease. Schools and the governments could give prizes to the best paintings in every school, and city. The best drawings could be printed as a book.

Second, good poetry touches the human heart and stays engraved forever. Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If you can” is evergreen. Robert Frost’s poem, “I took the road, less travelled by, and that has made all the difference,” has inspired millions across the world, in following their destinies. The poets of the world can galvanise to write poetry in local languages to motivate people to fight COVID-19 by following COVID-19 protocols. Poetry is normally inspired by love for a person; poems on COVID-19, can also be inspired by the love of saving human lives. As we have learnt, “He who saves one life, saves the world entire.”

Third, health authorities and universities could initiate essay competitions for college students on COVID-19, focussing on how to prevent its spread in slums, villages, schools, etc. The best entries could win handsome prizes and prestige. This would spread greater awareness and inspire university students to defeat COVID-19.

Rajendra Aneja — Mumbai, India