We Are Social’s Aussie outpost creates hands-on Mask Class project to help kids make their own COVID-19 masks.
Mask task
During the virus outbreak, face masks have become increasingly hard to find in Australia; so much so that people are advocating for the ones available to be saved for healthcare workers, the agency said.
However, it’s been widely recognised that face masks are effective in reducing community spread of the virus.
At a time when parents are looking to keep their kids entertained and off digital screens, socially-led creative agency, We Are Social Australia, has created Mask Class.
The initiative serves the dual role of helping adults and children make their own masks; while educating them about the COVID-19 virus and how to reduce its transmission.
The project offers easy-to-follow instructions, illustrated by local artist and children’s book author Sha’an d’Anthes, aka @furrylittlepeach, in her signature playful and colourful style, so that kids can learn what to do to limit the spread of the virus, and have fun while doing it.
Silver linings
“When you look in the right place, you can always find a silver lining”, said Edu Pou, executive creative director at WAS.
“In lockdown, families are having more time to connect, and making it a great way to bond. That’s the main ambition of Mask Class.
“We defer to the authorities to define what’s the best way to fight the virus; but we want to give families a shared task.
“Something to talk about and learn from. Who knows if we’ll help unveil the next fashion icon?”
Suzie Shaw, managing director at We Are Social Australia, said: “At this time, we were compelled to use the best resource we have to help – our creativity.
“Mask Class is just one of those ideas that deserved a life; so everyone got behind it to make it happen.”
The how-to content is delivered via the Instagram account @maskclass, which also features an array of UGC tagged with #MaskClass, and on the Mask Class website, where parents can download printable PDF versions of the instructions, for a full ‘screens off’ DIY experience.