Pages: (72-89 )
Abstract
The whole world was brought to its knees by a novel Coronavirus, codenamed COVID-19: humankind suffered a blow of a staggering proportion as hundreds of thousands of lives were lost across the globe. Africa is no exception as she recorded her own share of mortalities. As scientist and medical practitioners battled around the clock seeking a vaccine and a cure, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the following simple life saving preventive measures in an attempt to prevent the further spread of this deadly virus: practice social distancing, wash hands with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizers, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; and stay at home. The importance of these safety measures cannot be overemphasized as the lives of both the present and posterity greatly depends on them. WHO would require a very effective means of disseminating these lifesaving measures to a wide range of audience across the globe. This paper highlights the roles of art against the spread of the novel coronavirus. The efficacy of art (illustrative drawings, photographs, posters, radio jingoes, billboards, skits, music etc) in communication cannot be denied—it aids quick assimilation and understanding even amongst none literates, thereby prompting the target audience to obey the directives therein.
Keywords: Corona Virus, Virus, Pandemic, Art, NCDC, W.H.O,