Lang Son diversifies communication methods to raise awareness about COVID-19

(LSO) – From mobile loudspeakers and large-sized posters to plays, poems, Then songs and slogans, all have attracted public attention with the message on COVID-19 prevention and control.

   Flexible communication methods 

Many people share the view that the large-sized posters on COVID-19 set up at intersections and public places like markets, parks and cultural and historical relic sites are impressive and easy to understand and remember.

Mobile loudspeakers have also proven effective in remote areas in this regard. Nong Van Thang, a resident in Tan Minh commune, Trang Dinh district, said he and other residents in the border commune have still get updated weekly on the COVID-19 pandemic as well as recommendations of the health sector through broadcasting via loudspeakers by mobile film screening teams.

Since the beginning of this year, the teams have carried out 163 communication sessions, focusing on remote, far-lung and ethnic minority-inhabited communes. Besides, the city’s centre of culture and sports, and districts’ centres of culture, sports and communications have organised 298 dissemination sessions on major streets and at commune and town centres in the province.

Mobile communication car of the provincial centre of culture and arts have actively engaged in disseminating measures against COVID-19

Panels measuring 368 sq.m and 87 posters have been set up, and 50,940 leaflets were delivered to raise public awareness of the epidemic.

   New communication methods  

Different cultural and art forms have been optimised in the communication work. The play “A Pao prevents the epidemic” staged by officials and artists of the provincial centre of culture and arts has attracted more than 1,000 views on Youtube. Notably, officials and members of the centre have composed about 10 Then songs to disseminate measures against COVID-19.

However, amid the complex developments of the pandemic, the artists have not performed at public places but posted their performances on Facebook and Youtube to practise social distancing and prevent the spread of the disease.

In March, members of the provincial centre of culture and literature also composed 20 poems on the topic, of which many have been published on the provincial literature and art magazine.

Duong Thi Vinh, a doctor from the provincial centre of disease control and the author of poem “Heroes in white coat”, said she composed more than 10 poems and posted them on Facebook to cheer her colleagues in the battle and raise public awareness of the fight.

The communication work has also attracted the participation of telecom firms like Vinaphone, Viettel and Mobiphone. Pham Duc Vinh, deputy director of Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) in Lang Son province, said the company has launched a voluntary medical declaration app via mobile phones and called on people to stay at home via text messages as well as ahead of phone calls of 140,000 subscribers.

Lang Son has reported no COVID-19 cases so far. Such unique and creative communication methods have contributed to the fight against the pandemic./.