Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) has roped in famous sitcom character Mr Bean to encourage people follow social distancing and other precautions to fight Covid-19 pandemic. WHO, Project Everyone and Tiger Aspect Productions, have partnered to launch a Public Service Announcement (PSA) using global comedy cartoon star, Mr Bean. With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise globally, "Mr Bean''s Essential COVID-19 Checklist" is a reminder to people about the importance of washing hands, physical distancing and demonstrating kindness to their neighbours, said WHO in a press release.
The PSA features a cartoon sketch of Mr Bean comically tackling a pesky roller blind to finally reveal a number of essential tips to protect people against COVID-19. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, said, "COVID-19 affects every walk of human life, and we need to use all tools and avenues at our disposal to share life-saving information with all people around the world. I am grateful for the support of the team behind Mr Bean for lending your voice and talents to spread vital advice on physical distancing, hygiene and knowing the symptoms."
The PSA is voiced by Mr Bean star, Rowan Atkinson, who created the Mr Bean character to be "a child in a grown man''s body" when he was at Oxford University along with filmmaker and Sustainable Development Goal advocate Richard Curtis. Mr Bean, which was originally broadcast in the 1990s before transforming into an animated series, has since expanded on a global scale with 96 million Facebook followers globally and major fanbases across India, Brazil and Indonesia. Mr Bean also celebrates his 30th anniversary in 2020. The PSA was coordinated by Project Everyone, a not-for-profit agency devised by Richard Curtis working to put the power of communications behind the UN''s Sustainable Development Goals.
Richard Curtis said, "We are delighted to work with the WHO on this Mr Bean sketch and to support health messaging around Covid-19. In 2015 more than 190 world leaders committed to 17 Global Goals to end poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030. Good Health and Wellbeing is Goal 3 and central to achieving all of the Global Goals. It''s key that we work with creative partners - and that all sectors come together to continue to get messages out about how we can tackle Covid-19 and build back a better world where the Global Goals remain the guiding plan to be achieved by 2030. I''m not QUITE sure which sector Mr Bean belongs too - but we''re delighted to have him on board."
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