Sharing current science and reinforcing evidence-based public health strategies can help our society collectively navigate the coronavirus pandemic. Adapt or reuse these resources and engagement ideas with your audience.
- COVID-19 Ask A Scientist chatbot and widget. Researchers the Federation of American Scientist researchers and volunteers through the National Science Policy Network answer the public’s questions about COVID-19. The widget code is availible on GitHub, though if you decide to use it, the organizers’ request an email at covid19@fas.org.
- Exhibit panels for anyone to use. The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), Miraikan – The National Museum of of Emerging Science and Innovation, and Space Center Houston have created multi-panel exhibitions and graciously agreed to share them with the science center community. Thanks to NYSCI, Miraikan, and Space Center Houston for making these resources available to other institutions.
- The NYSCI exhibition is provided in English and Spanish. Please contact COVIDexh@nysci.org for information about how to access the high-resolution PDF. Thanks to New York–Presbyterian, Queens for their support of the exhibition.
- The Miraikan exhibition, Facts about Coronavirus Disease 2019, COVID-19 and the Novel Virus, can be downloaded from the museum’s website. Use this contact form to request high-resolution data for printing.
- Space Center Houston has launched an exhibit, Mission: Control the Spread, on how crisis sparks innovation, demonstrating how NASA is helping with the response to COVID-19. Others may build their own panel display with print-ready artwork provided by the museum.
- Virtual community discussions
- The Museum of Science, Boston, partnered with WGBH to host a free, community-wide town-hall forum on March 8 on the COVID-19 coronavirus. A recording of the community conversation is available.
- The Pacific Science Center in Seattle planned to host a livestream event on March 24 to connect its community directly with local experts and leaders in epidemiology and community health plus public health officials.
- Curated research. The Pacific Science Center created an Understanding COVID-19 page to round up scientific research, public health guidance, and articles on the social and cultural context of this pandemic.
- Communicating with children
- “Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus” from Child Mind Institute
- “How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus” from PBS Kids
- “Explaining Coronavirus To Kids, And The Science Of Soap” from Vermont Public Radio
Infectious Disease Exhibitions
- The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has hosted a temporary exhibit—Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World—about the role of viruses and their connection to human health. The museum has created a DIY version that is freely available to museums, community centers, hospitals, and more. The DIY toolkit is available in five languages and includes pre-designed panels, two customizable temples, interactive multimedia, a 3D model, and an extensive resource guide. Please contact NMNH-ExhibitsDIY@si.edu for information about accessing the DIY exhibit.
- Last year, the New York Hall of Science launched a digital interactive comic, which focuses on how to use scientific evidence to understand and combat viruses, as well as an associated activity guide. Transmissions: Gone Viral, which focuses on the spread of the West Nile virus, was supported by the National Institutes of Health’s Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program. Read more about the project in this article from the November/December 2019 issue of ASTC’s Dimensions magazine.
Trustworthy Resources on Public Health
In terms of public health, expert guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that the best way to limit the risk posed by coronavirus is to follow strategies for public health, which will also help protect against influenza, colds, and other communicable diseases, including:
- Wearing of cloth face masks covering nose and mouth whenever indoors and when social distancing is not possible outside
- Maintaining social distancing of at least six feet whenever interacting with those outside of the immediate family unit living together
- Staying at home when sick
- Regular and thorough handwashing
- Regularly cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and objects
- Ensuring that vaccinations are up to date
The websites of official sources such as Federal government science and health agencies and state and local public-health departments are a good first stop for fact-based information. In addition, scientific societies are sharing trustworthy information about the science of COVID-19. See below for some helpful links:
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate
- Master Question List for COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) (updated regularly)
- World Health Organization
- Scientific Resources
- Background on coronavirus, current information in the disease, and links to additional resources from the American Society for Microbiology: https://asm.org/COVID19
- COVID-19 Research Registry: Curated list of vetted research on COVID-19
- Scientific information and answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 from the Federation of American Scientists Coronavirus Project: https://fas.org/ncov/
- Resources for reporters covering COVID-19—including state-by-state infographics, advice for local reporters, expert matching service, media briefings, quotes from experts, and links to other credible resources—from AAAS’ SciLine project: https://www.sciline.org/covid
- Background on coronavirus, current information in the disease, and links to additional resources from the American Society for Microbiology: https://asm.org/COVID19
This list is provided as a service to the community and inclusion of a resource does not necessarily imply endorsement by ASTC.