Coronavirus And The Little Ones

CNN partnered with Sesame Street for a Coronavirus Townhall for kids and their parents titled, “The ABC’s Of COVID19” where children got to learn more about the coronavirus pandemic and ask their questions. The Townhall was moderated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Erica Hill from CNN and Big Bird from Sesame Street. They were joined by the crew from Sesame Street and had doctors and other professionals join in and answer children’s’ questions regarding the coronavirus .

It was heartwarming to see the children allowed to express their views and ask questions on their minds regarding this difficult time. It is great that CNN, Sesame Street, and other professionals took out time to acknowledge the little ones and their concerns reminding us that the children have questions too and are as much affected by the coronavirus as their parents. The children asked several questions including:

When will I be able to see my grandparents?

When can I go on playdates?

Is it safe to go to the beach?

When will I be able to go back to school?

Dr. Sanjay, Erica, and others answered these and other questions providing information and clarification to both the children and their parents. United States gymnasts Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez were also on hand to share their experiences about training from home and online. The moderators and the Sesame Street crew also sang the CARE song for children and parents to learn and sing along to remind everyone of their responsibilities during this period. CARE is an acronym for:

C – Covering Your face with a mask especially in a public place

A – Apart. Stay 6 feet apart

R – Remember to wash your hands throughout the day before you eat and after you play

E – Everyone’ job to help others and be healthy too

Healthcare and essential workers were not left out as the Muppets sang an appreciation song for them too .

Watching the townhall brought me so much joy as it brought back memories of earlier years and the many educational programs and cartoons I and my siblings enjoyed watching back then. I remember programs like Sesame Street; Voltron, defender of the universe; Terrahawks; Rent A Ghost; Mind Your Language; Fawlty Towers; Mixed Blessings; Sanford and Sons; Keep It In The Family; SuperTed; Flintstones; Mr. Bean; The Cosby Show; Muppet Babies; The Love Boat; Falcon Crest; The Wonder Years; Different Strokes; Captain Caveman; Moonlighting; Allo Allo; Thundersub; Towser; Battle of The Planets; The Prince and the Pauper; King Rollo; Fraggle Rock; Johnny Bravo; Dempsey and Makepeace; The X-Files; Yes, Prime Minister; Jemima Shore investigates, Jake and the Fat Man; Inspector Gadget; Some Mothers Do Have Them; Dr. Who; Family Matters; Good Times and many others .

Sesame Street was one of our many favorites growing up as it was aired daily. We learned so much from characters like Grover, Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleappagus, Cookie Monster, Count Dracula, Ernie and Bert, Animal, Oscar the Grouch, Guy Smiley, and Kermit the Frog. They taught us the ABC’s; How to count; New words; Importance of Good Manners; A bit of Spanish language and important values.

As I hummed to “Who are the people in your neighborhood” and “Can you show me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street”, my son was curious and asked me what I was singing. I tried to explain to him what a hit Sesame Street was back then for kids. He didn’t understand my enthusiasm – They are the generation of Ben 10; Cartoon Network; The Thundermans; Captain Mann and Kid Danger; School of Rock; Spongebob Squarepants; Gameshakers; iCarly; Sam and Cat; Drake and Josh; Fairly Odd Parents; Avatar: The Last Airbender; Dora the Explorer; Big Time Rush, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn, Alvin and The Chipmunks and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles along with some other weird ones I will never understand like Breadwinners; Sanjay and Craig and Beevis and Buthead

Amidst the dreary news, anxiety, and confusion of these tense times, it is refreshing to see a network like CNN take time out to listen to the little ones and their concerns about the pandemic. It was a very informative, interesting, and interactive session not just for the kids but for adults as well. The Coronavirus Townhall is a laudable initiative that should be sustained, emulated, and continued. After all, the children have their questions too .

Thank you for reading

Imabong Faminu

Imabong Faminu is a creative writer and poet. You can connect with her on Twitter @IFaminu and Instagram @wordsrwine