Message arcs for COVID-19 with a people-centred approach

16 March 2020

Be Ready. Be Kind.
1. Be Ready for COVID-19. Be informed. Be prepared. And Be
Kind.
2. And as we are observing social distance—we need more than
ever to protect social cohesion and our community’s
interconnectedness.
3. From Italy to China to France to the US, over the past weeks we
have observed great acts of human kindness. Acts that define us
as a human family. We can rise together in solidarity, as a human
family—whether singing a song together outside our windows,
getting groceries for the elderly or calling a friend to alleviate
anxiety and fear.
4. With every action, let us include an act of kindness.
5. What can we do for our neighbors and for the most vulnerable
among us?
6. As more people become affected and know someone affected by
the virus—let’s take active steps to stop stigma and encourage
empathy.
7. People with COVID-19 and affected by COVID-19 need and
deserve our encouragement and support.
8. Kindness has the profound power to remind us of our humanity in
the face of despair, to restore dignity and to strengthen our
response.

Shared responsibility and global solidarity

9. International cooperation has never been so vital and the call for
unity—so clear.
10. Every day we are seeing collective and individual actions that
encourage everyone, everywhere to be part of this response and
to leave no one behind.
11. We are grateful to our medical colleagues, public and community
health workers, scientists and innovators.
12. To all who are working around the clock to—prevent, treat and
mount this unprecedented response to COVID-19.
13. The United Nations is with you.
14. The World Health Organization and every part of the UN system
is on the ground, working with governments to help stem the
pandemic. [WHEN WE GET MORE EXAMPLES FROM
COUNTRY OFFICES WE CAN ELABORATE]
15. We are in this together. We will get through this together.

People-Centred Approach
16. We need to respect the rights and dignity of people affected by
COVID-19.
17. The extraordinary actions we take to respond to COVID-19 is
what will break the pandemic—not stigma, not discrimination.
18. People affected by COVID-19 are part of the solution and must be
supported at all times.
19. We mourn with families and friends who have lost loved ones.
20. Let’s listen to people affected by COVID-19 and learn from their
experiences.

Inequality
21. The Secretary-General and his senior staff are also focusing on
the possible long-term negative impact on the global economy.
22. We can let our effort to fight the virus exacerbate the already
deepening inequality that exists between nations and within the
nations.
23. The most vulnerable amongst us must be left behind, yet again.
24. When the crisis passes, and it will pass, world leaders must invest
in climate mitigation, health care, education – all of the 17 SDGs.
That will be one way to prevent future pandemics.