Web Extras
Government Related Articles Feds Announce Video Contest for H1N1 Flu
| Feds Announce Video Contest for H1N1 Flu |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Janna Smeltzer |
| Friday, 10 July 2009 00:00 |
|
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is counting on the popularity of YouTube to disseminate information worldwide on how precautions are necessary to keep a new strain of the so-called swine flu from infecting and killing more people, as health experts expect the virus to mutate this fall just as children head back to school.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a video contest for all residents of the U.S. and Puerto Rico ages 14 and over on the same day as the government leaders met at the H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Summit in Bethsesda, Md., to kick off nationwide flu preparedness efforts.
“Over the course of coming weeks and months, we will move aggressively to prepare the nation for the possibility of a more severe outbreak of the H1N1 virus,” said HHS Secretary Sebelius. “We ask the American people to become actively engaged with their own preparation and prevention. It’s a responsibility we all share.” That responsibility can also result in a $2,500 prize for the winning video entry uploaded via YouTube. Through Aug. 17, users can submit videos that are 15-, 30- or 60-seconds long that inform and motivate people to take steps that will help prevent the spread of H1N1. Sebelius encouraged entries to be “fun, smart, and entertaining,” and the PSA’s must close with visual mention of www.flu.gov. The top 10 videos submitted will be chosen by Sebelius, at which time the public will vote online for the winner. Full contest rules and more information on the H1N1 virus is available online. |