Educating children about the Covid-19 pandemic is a critical mission. The popular Kai Hua Ror (Laughter For Sale) comic magazine recently launched its special edition KnowCovid, which seeks to demystify for kids the disease that has so far infected more than 7 million people globally.

KnowCovid is currently available in Thai and English with translated versions coming soon. Photos Banlue Group

Using familiar cartoon characters and beautiful illustrations coupled with plenty of humour, KnowCovid is designed to show families how to protect themselves from the outbreak. Some 100,000 free print copies, as well as an e-booklet, are available now in Thai and English; and Myanmar, Cambodian and other versions are said to be on the way.

In the midst of this life-altering pandemic, many people remain concerned for their safety and finances. Adults at least can use their phones or social media as a medium to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues and to exchange information on how to handle the situation wisely. But children and adolescents are suddenly trapped in confined spaces with their parents all day long. Stay-at-home orders mean they aren't allowed to go to school, visit a shopping mall or playground or spend time with friends. Even though many of the lockdown measures have been eased and many places reopened, some may not have a clue what's really going on. And this confusion could lead to the favourite question, "Why?", which sometimes can be difficult for the adult to explain.

With its goal to help children and families learn about Covid-19 through cartoon characters, KnowCovid was produced under a collaboration between Kai Hua Ror publisher Banlue Group, the World Health Organization Thailand, the United Nations, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Public Health and parliament.

"We're glad to be a part of the project and also proud of our art in the form of a cartoon, which will help communicate and benefit society in times of crisis," said Pimpicha Utsahajit, Banlue Group executive director. "We sincerely hope to help protect people's lives and reduce the spread of infection, which will greatly reduce the burden on medical personnel. We believe that humour and good mental health are important for everyone at this time."

KnowCovid is currently available in Thai and English with translated versions coming soon. Photos Banlue Group

With its simple but effective content, KnowCovid shows readers how to reduce the risk of infection for themselves and their communities, from washing hands frequently and properly, coughing and sneezing safely, always wearing a mask, avoiding touching your mouth and nose, and learning about social distancing and how to stay a safe distance (1-2m) from others -- all told with humour and an easy-to-understand approach. Pimpicha said that there's a plan to release a translated version into different languages in neighbouring countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar to provide knowledge to foreign labourers regarding Covid-19 because the cartoon is a universal language and can cross any border. And Covid-19 is a crisis that the whole world faces.

The 56-page comic book features work by a team of well-known cartoonists with unique styles such as Wat, Fen or Tai, and his iconic fictional child character Pangpond, or Aor and the hilarious girl with bangs, Noo-Hin, or some of the new generation of cartoonists like Noi-na, Yung and Wirat who draw and use gags through these cartoon characters from the information submitted.

Pimpicha said that in the past few months there's been a lot of fake information about the disease that has circulated online, which could lead to weak protection or risky behaviour. One of the highlights of KnowCovid is the 12 false beliefs about Covid-19, such as drinking alcohol to prevent Covid-19, that thermometers can identify 100% of infected people, or that mosquitoes can transmit the coronavirus to humans.

"Apart from providing basic information about the virus, the cartoons take on sensitive topics and psychological issues, such as showing people how to reduce any stigma surrounding a coronavirus infection and how to be aware of domestic violence that has increased as a result of the pandemic lockdowns," said Pimpicha.

"It's quite an important issue that not that many people are talking about. Because lockdown measures may result in more violent factors, for example, family stress or loss of income, we believe this is useful information that should benefit any family. Because what we all need the most right now is a healthy family environment."

Pimpicha said the content provided in KnowCovid will still be relevant in years to come whether during a lockdown or not.

"As long as the medical profession has not yet found a cure or vaccine, and Covid-19 has not disappeared from the world, we believe that there are still many people on this planet who do not have the correct knowledge on Covid-19. So this information is always useful."

KnowCovid has now been released nationwide through village administration offices, village health volunteers, provincial halls, primary and secondary schools, public libraries, state-run hospitals and health centres. People can also download a copy at gocovid.issara.in.th, or request a copy by calling the 1300 hotline of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

Pimpicha Utsahajit, executive director of Banlue Group. Apichit Jinakul

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