Issued on: 20/08/2021
Veronica Flores (L) and Leonor Garcia (R) wear coronavirus masks ahead of a superhero-themed Covid-19 play at the El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center in San Bernardino, California
Frederic J. BROWN AFP
San Bernardino (United States) (AFP)
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Captain Empathy, a superhero ready to vanquish misinformation about vaccines in a Hollywood-style twist on the fight against Covid-19.
Wearing a yellow cape, the warrior battles the evil Coronavirus with medical science as his superpower in a piece of educational theater in San Bernardino, near Los Angeles, California. The hero disarms his nemesis by convincing two young people to get immunized.
"We thought of this play as a way to educate people about the importance of vaccines, especially young people," says director Valentina Sanabria.
San Bernardino (United States) (AFP)
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Captain Empathy, a superhero ready to vanquish misinformation about vaccines in a Hollywood-style twist on the fight against Covid-19.
Wearing a yellow cape, the warrior battles the evil Coronavirus with medical science as his superpower in a piece of educational theater in San Bernardino, near Los Angeles, California. The hero disarms his nemesis by convincing two young people to get immunized.
"We thought of this play as a way to educate people about the importance of vaccines, especially young people," says director Valentina Sanabria.
Captain Empathy, played by Nathaniel Chavez, is attacked by the Covid-19 virus, played by Kenneth Artry
Frederic J. BROWN AFP
"There are many people who are resisting the vaccine... because of rumors that it contains a microchip, or because... not enough time has passed to take a good look and educate themselves," she says.
Vaccines in the United States are free and widely available for anyone over the age of 12 who wants them, but just 51 percent of the population is fully immunized against Covid-19.
The low vaccination rate has doctors worried. They say that a recent surge in cases -- driven by the infectious Delta variant -- is largely affecting the unvaccinated, particularly in conservative southern states, among ethnic minorities and in poorer communities.
"There are many people who are resisting the vaccine... because of rumors that it contains a microchip, or because... not enough time has passed to take a good look and educate themselves," she says.
Vaccines in the United States are free and widely available for anyone over the age of 12 who wants them, but just 51 percent of the population is fully immunized against Covid-19.
The low vaccination rate has doctors worried. They say that a recent surge in cases -- driven by the infectious Delta variant -- is largely affecting the unvaccinated, particularly in conservative southern states, among ethnic minorities and in poorer communities.
Artry, who plays the Covid-19 virus, jumps off stage during rehearsals of a superhero-themed Covid-19 play at the El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center
Frederic J. BROWN AFP
"Captain Empathy vs. Covid-19" is a community-based effort to counter the skepticism about vaccines, with the spikey-shelled villain seen spreading lies about the effects of the jab.
"We are doing this to fight back against the misinformation," says Natanael Chavez, who plays the hero. "Not being vaccinated puts the whole family at risk."
With great power comes great responsibility, but, it appears, Captain Empathy is equal to the task, and has already won over at least one cast member.
"Captain Empathy vs. Covid-19" is a community-based effort to counter the skepticism about vaccines, with the spikey-shelled villain seen spreading lies about the effects of the jab.
"We are doing this to fight back against the misinformation," says Natanael Chavez, who plays the hero. "Not being vaccinated puts the whole family at risk."
With great power comes great responsibility, but, it appears, Captain Empathy is equal to the task, and has already won over at least one cast member.
Captain Empathy, Chavez (R), fights the Covid-19 virus during the closing scene of a superhero-themed Covid-19 play on August 19
Frederic J. BROWN AFP
"I thought that since I already had Covid, I already had antibodies and I didn't need to get vaccinated," says Julia Perez, 26, who plays one of the girls initially refusing the jab.
"Here they let me know that it's important," said Perez, who, like her character, is now ready to book her shot.
© 2021 AFP
"I thought that since I already had Covid, I already had antibodies and I didn't need to get vaccinated," says Julia Perez, 26, who plays one of the girls initially refusing the jab.
"Here they let me know that it's important," said Perez, who, like her character, is now ready to book her shot.
© 2021 AFP
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