VOA慢速英语--新冠肺炎爆发,芝麻街的布偶教孩子们保持个人卫生（在线收听）

The coronavirus pandemic continues to be a health threat around the world. So, governments, businesses, communities and individuals are looking for ways to teach children how to protect themselves.

Children, however, often do not want to listen to grownups. But they might want to listen to imaginative creatures that are adorable, colorful and furry!

Muppets are puppets from the children's show Sesame Street. They are helping to keep children healthy and safe during a difficult time.

Elmo, Grover and other Sesame Street Muppets star in new public service advertisements, or PSAs, from the Sesame Workshop.

These PSAs teach children about the importance of handwashing and safe ways to sneeze, limiting the spread of germs. The PSAs also spread the message to children that all of these actions show care and concern for others.

The short videos are part of a campaign called Caring for Each Other. Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that created the television show Sesame Street.

In a statement to the press, Sesame Workshop said that its campaign is aimed at helping families stay physically and mentally healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.

The project includes messages for children and caregivers. It offers reading, math and science activities along with songs and fun, educational videos.

Elmo is probably one of the most famous Muppets. He is known for a song about brushing teeth called "Brushy Brush." That song has been updated to "Washy Wash" and teaches good handwashing.

Wash, washy wash, washy, wash, wash your hands, Scrub 'em while you sing this song...

Elmo reminds children to wash between the fingers and the tops of the hands. The video also reminds children to wash their hands for a full 20 seconds.

Another video in the Caring For Each Other campaign features Grover. This silly blue Muppet teaches children how to safely cough and sneeze.

Learn to cough and sneeze with your pal Grover! Step 1: Realize you're about to sneeze. Step 2: Move your elbow toward your nose and mouth. Step 3: Ah choo! Gesundheit!

Health experts recommend having a routine while quarantined. A set of things you normally do can help you to stay mentally healthy. So, Elmo explains his daily morning routine.

The loveable, red Muppet even uses a checklist that includes breakfast, brushing his teeth and exercise.

Oh, good morning, everybody! Elmo's in the middle of his morning routine. Yeah. Even though things may be a little different right now, Elmo's mommy and daddy say keeping a daily routine is very important. Here's Elmo's morning routine.

Dr. Rosemarie Truglio is Senior Vice President for Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop.

In the statement, Dr. Truglio said, "Around the world, young children's lives are being turned upside down, and parents and caregivers are looking for ways to give their children—and themselves—a sense of stability in this new normal."

The Associated Press reports that the new Sesame Street PSAs will be released around the world in 19 languages. Partners include HBO, PBS Kids, YouTube and the Ad Council.

Words in This Story

pandemic – n. medical : an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world

adorable – adj. very appealing or attractive : very lovable

furry – adj. covered with fur a hairy coat like an animal especially when it is soft and thick

germ – n. a microorganism (as a bacterium) that causes disease

silly – adj. not serious

Gesundheit : German Expression : used to wish good health especially to one who has just sneezed

quarantined – v. to isolate from normal relations or communication

checklist – n. a list of things to be checked or done

turned upside down – idiomatic expression informal : to make (something) very untidy —often used figuratively : His whole world was turned upside down when his mother died.

stability – n. the quality or state of something that is not easily changed or likely to change