Coronavirus: Mr Bean signed up by World Health Organisation to offer social distancing and hand washing tips
Written by News on 22/06/2020
Mr Bean has been drafted in to make a series of key points about staying safe and maintaining social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
And he does – unexpectedly perhaps – manage to get his message across.
The comedy character, who causes mayhem wherever he goes, is voiced in the animation by creator Rowan Atkinson.
In the short clip for the World Health Organisation (WHO), he pulls down a screen containing several bullet points, headlined: Mr Bean’s Essential COVID-19 Checklist!
True to form, the screen will not stay down and shoots back up, nearly taking him with it.
When he manages to wrench it back into place, the advice is as follows: “Keep your hands clean and don’t touch your face. Keep your distance – at least one metre. Keep in touch with your neighbours, and be kind. Keep an eye on the symptoms and if needed call the doctor and follow their advice.”
The main symptoms to look out for are a high temperature, persistent cough, and loss of taste and smell.
Atkinson, who came up with Mr Bean when he was at Oxford University, has played him on TV and the big screen.
The public service announcement was coordinated by Project Everyone, a not-for-profit agency devised by Richard Curtis, who co-wrote the Mr Bean television shows.
The agency is working on communications for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Curtis said: “We are delighted to work with the WHO on this Mr Bean sketch and to support health messaging around COVID-19.
“In 2015, 193 world leaders committed to 17 global goals to end poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
“Good health and well-being is goal three and central to achieving all of the global goals.
“It’s key that we work with creative partners – and that all sectors come together to continue to get messages out about how we can tackle COVID-19.
“I’m not quite sure which sector Mr Bean belongs to, but we’re delighted to have him on board.”
WHO’s director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “COVID-19 affects every walk of human life and we need to use all tools and avenues at our disposal to share life-saving information with all people around the world.
“I am grateful for the support of the team behind Mr Bean for lending your voice and talents to spread vital advice on physical distancing, hygiene and knowing the symptoms.”
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Mr Bean signed up by World Health Organisation to offer social distancing and hand washing tips
