Five Steps to Kick Out Coronavirus

Amid the latest chaos of the novel coronavirus, a new awareness campaign has been launched and led by world-renowned footballers. The awareness campaign named “Pass the message to kick out coronavirus” promotes five key steps for people to follow and protect their health in line with WHO guidance which highlights hand washing, coughing etiquette, not touching your face, maintaining physical distance and practice social distancing by staying home if feeling unwell. 

FIFA, the international governing body of football, have come up together with the World Health Organization (WHO) to fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19). To create awareness amongst people, the footballers are calling on all people around the world to follow basic five key steps to stop the spread of the disease. 

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the virtual launch of the campaign at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland mentioned that FIFA and its President Gianni Infantino have been actively a part of passing the message against this pandemic since the very beginning.

FIFA has stood up to the coronavirus and it is through campaigns or funding, and it is a delight that world football is supporting WHO to kick out the coronavirus. Dr Tedros said he has no doubt with this type of support that together we will win.

Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino claimed that we need teamwork to combat the coronavirus. Keeping health as priority, FIFA has teamed up with WHO. It is great to have football community worldwide join them in supporting this campaign to pass the message even further. Some of the renowned players have put their names forward to be a part of the campaign and are united in their desire to pass the message to kick out COVID-19.

• HANDS

Alisson Becker, WHO Goodwill ambassador for health promotion, Liverpool FC and Brazil goalkeeper, and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper, 2019 revealed that it starts with your hands.

“Please make sure to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based solution.” Such frequent washing with soap and water, or preferably with an alcohol-based hand solution, kills viruses that may be already on your hands. It is simple, but it is very important.

• ELBOWS

Carli Lloyd two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner from the United States concludes “Cover your nose and mouth with a bent elbow or use tissue when you sneeze or cough”. “Dispose of tissue immediately and wash your hands.”

Droplets can spread the coronavirus. Follow respiratory hygiene to protect the people around you from contracting viruses, such as cold, flu and coronavirus.

• FACE

FC Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, The Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2019, and a multiple FIFA Ballon d’Or winner adds “Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent the virus from entering the body”. Hands touch too many surfaces and quickly pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your face, from where the virus can move inside your body, making you infected.

• DISTANCE

“In case of social interaction, take a step back,” guides Han Duan, who represented China PR 188 times in an international career that spanned 11 years. “Maintain at least one metre distance from others.”

By maintaining such social distancing, you are helping to avoid breathing in any droplets from someone who sneezes or coughs in close proximity to you.

• FEEL – KNOW YOUR SYMPTOMS

“If you feel sick or are not well, prefer to stay at home,” clarifies Samuel Eto’o, former FC Barcelona and Cameroon striker, who represented his country 114 times. 

“Please follow all instructions provided by your local health care provider and authorities.”

If you have a fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, seek medical help and call in advance. 

Keep latest information and stay informed as local health authorities provide the latest information on the situation in your area. Follow specific instructions given by government and health, and call in advance to allow them to direct you to the appropriate local health facility. This serves to protect you and to help prevent the spread of virus and other infections. 

FIFA took the pledge to donate $10 million to support the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO. 

Over to you

Individual localized files to the 211 FIFA member associations and media agencies, in combination with a graphics toolkit for implementation on social media to further pass the message is also provided and will be in the form of video campaign, published on player and FIFA digital channels,

At present, twenty-eight players over the globe are involved in the video campaign, which is being published in 13 different languages.

For further more information or to clear queries related to the same, visit WHO’s website and keep yourself updated for latest information.