Spreading the message: Five steps to eliminate coronavirus

Spreading the message: Five steps to eliminate coronavirus

23 March 2020 Press release

     FIFA and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have joined forces to combat the coronavirus (Covid-19).

     The two entities are launching a new awareness campaign led by world-class footballers, calling on all people around the world to follow five key measures to stop the spread of the virus.

     The "Spread the Message to Stop Coronavirus" campaign aims to safeguard the health of all people in line with WHO recommendations and includes the following five key messages: wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, avoid touching your face, keep your distance and stay home when you feel unwell.

     "From the very beginning, FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, have been actively involved in spreading the message against this pandemic," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, at the virtual launch of the campaign at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

     "FIFA is fighting the coronavirus through a series of campaigns and funding, and I am delighted that world football is helping WHO to eliminate the virus.

     I am confident that with this kind of support, we will win together. »

     "Teamwork is essential in the fight against coronavirus," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

     "FIFA has joined forces with the WHO because health comes first.

     I call on the world football community to join us and support this campaign to spread this message more widely.

     Many of the world's great footballers have been keen to take part in this campaign and join forces to spread the message and eliminate Covid-19. »

Here is the list of twenty-eight players appearing in the video campaign, which will be published in 13 languages.


Sami Al-Jaber (KSA)       Alisson Becker (BRA)

Emre Belözoğlu (TUR)   Jared Borgetti (MEX)

Gianluigi Buffon (ITA)   Iker Casillas (ESP)

Sunil Chhetri (IND)         Youri Djorkaeff (FRA)

Han Duan (CHN)               Samuel Eto'o (RMC)

Radamel Falcao (COL)    Laura Georges (FRA)

Valeri Karpine (RUS)      Miroslav Klose (GER)

Philipp Lahm (GER)        Gary Lineker (ENG)

Carli Lloyd (USA)              Lionel Messi (ARG)

Mido (EGY)                          Michael Owen (ENG)

Park Ji-sung (KOR)         Carles Puyol (ESP)

Célia Šašić (GER)              Asako Takakura (JPN)

Yaya Touré (CIV)              Juan Sebastián Verón (ARG)

Sun Wen (CHN)                 Xavi Hernández (ESP)

     The video campaign, which will be published on the digital channels of FIFA and the players involved, is also being provided as individual localized files to FIFA's 211 member associations and media agencies - accompanied by a graphic toolkit - for social media distribution to get the message across.

wash your hands

     "It starts with the hands," says Alisson Becker, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health Promotion, the goalkeeper for Liverpool FC and Brazil, and winner of The Best - FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year 2019.

     "Please wash them frequently, with soap or a hydro-alcoholic solution. »

     Washing your hands frequently with soap and water - or preferably with a hydro-alcoholic solution - removes viruses that may be on your hands. It's simple, but also very important.

Elbow

     "With your elbows bent, please cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze," says Carli Lloyd, two-time winner of the Women's World Cup FIFA™ with the United States.

     "If you use a tissue, throw it away immediately after use and wash your hands. »

     The droplets spread the coronavirus. By adopting good respiratory hygiene, you protect those around you from viruses such as colds, flu or coronavirus.

Face

     "For the face, avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. This can prevent the virus from entering your body," adds Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi, multiple FIFA Ballon d'Or winner and winner of The Best - FIFA Player of the Year 2019.

     Your hands are in contact with a lot of surfaces covered with viruses. Once your hands are infected, the virus quickly finds its way to your face, where it can enter your body and make you sick.

Distance

     "In terms of social interaction, please keep your distance," recommends Han Duan, who has represented China PR 188 times in an 11-year international career. "A distance of at least one meter should be kept from anyone who coughs or sneezes".

     By maintaining such a distance, you will avoid inhaling droplets from someone sneezing or coughing nearby.

Felt - know your symptoms

     "If you don't feel well, stay at home," concludes Samuel Eto'o, a former Barcelona striker with 114 caps for Cameroon.

     "Please follow all instructions issued by the local health authorities. »

     If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, see a doctor but call ahead.

     Stay informed - the local health authorities provide regular updates on the situation in your area. Follow their specific instructions and call ahead to allow them to redirect you to the nearest health facility.

     This will help protect you and prevent the spread of the virus and other infections.

     FIFA has also pledged USD 10 million to support the WHO solidarity fund for the fight against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

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Source: World Health Organization " WHO "