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Even if you’re the kind of person who avoids the news like the plague, it’s been hard to dodge the headlines discussing where, when, and what’s going on with COVID-19. But with cases now spreading across the US and much of the world, it’s even more important to follow those updates.
It might be especially tricky to explain this stuff to children. Even though the main defense against the virus is to literally wash your hands, seeing people in face masks or hearing about COVID-19 deaths doesn’t quite set the stage for a calm discussion.
Luckily, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has created an absolute bop that gets the main points across to kids, their parents, and even folks who don’t speak a lick of the language.
Not only does it stress the most important ways of avoiding coronavirus (rinsing your hands with soap and water and keeping them off your face), it’s also delightfully uplifting. The song shares a positive message and serves as a reminder not to panic, despite the seriousness of the situation.
And if all that isn’t enough, singing or humming along to both of the verses in the chorus puts you at about the 20-second mark, which is just how long you should spend scrubbing your paws.
The song, called “Ghen Co Vy,” is set to a beloved pop song performed by ERIK and MIN and composed by Khac Hung. Now, #ghencovychallenge is trending on TikTok with dozens of teens boogie-ing to the hand-washing anthem.
For other creative ways to talk about COVID-19, NPR’s Malaka Gharib created a comic to answer questions that many kids—and adults—might have about the virus.
Currently, youth make up a small percentage of the folks who’ve gotten sick—but they could still be affected by school shutdowns and precautionary actions. Point is, whether the world is battling an outbreak or it’s just cold and flu season at home, it’s always a good time to sing, dance, and learn about washing your hands.
