Lester Holt starts show for children about the coronavirus

Show aims to ease some of the mystery, worry for young people

IBy David Bauder

n the NBC “Nightly News” inaugural kids edition, Sadie of Morristown, New Jersey, posed the question that everyone wishes had an answer. “When is coronavirus going to end?” she said. After a test run last week, NBC’s Lester Holt on Tuesday is starting a twice-weekly newscast that he hopes can ease some of the mystery and worry for young people about a pandemic that’s kept them out of school and many of their parents at home.

Posted Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, the program will run between six to 10 minutes and be available on NBC’s YouTube channel and other digital platforms.

NBC’s medical correspondent, Dr. John Torres, gamely took a whack at Sadie’s question, saying experts hoped that within a couple of months, and with adherence to medical advice, she might be able to begin going outside and playing with friends again.

“It’s healthy to have someone who will talk to them in as plain a language as possible and really walk them through what we know and what the coping techniques are for all of us,” Holt said.

One of the “Nightly News” producers, Bradd Jaffy, came up with the idea a couple of weeks ago and it was quickly put into motion, he said.

Besides the question-and-answer session with Torres, correspondent Kate Snow talked with an expert about tips for home schooling — yes, you should change out of your pajamas, he suggested. A filmed story featured a teenager in Virginia who didn’t have his driver’s license but flew a small plane around the state distributing donated supplies to hospitals.

At the show’s end, Holt said that “we hope you found this informative, answered some of your questions and made you smile.”

Tuesday’s show features a report on a virtual zoo visit by Jackson Daly, who’s Carson Daly’s son, and has a story about a 14-year-old volunteer from Illinois who makes face shields for doctors and nurses.

Linda Ellerbee applauded Holt’s effort. She said it was the first time since she retired where she wished she was able to make one of her signature shows. “I think it’s hugely important because it’s not a story these kids can avoid,” she said.

Information

Children need to feel that they have a voice, and often have trouble digesting bits and pieces of information. “Kids need to know that it is OK to talk about things, it’s OK to be afraid, it’s OK to ask questions,” she said.

Ellerbee wasn’t an expert in child psychology when first asked to do a program that tries to make sense of complex and disturbing news stories for young people. She followed her instincts. Similarly, Holt is taking cues from his experience as a father and grandparent. Holt said the show won’t address the grimmer aspects of the story, like the death toll.

The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness.

The questions that some children sent in to Torres weren’t all that different from what some adults would ask. One wanted an explanation of what “flattening the curve” meant and another wondered whether coronavirus survived in the water and whether it would be safe to swim.

“The important thing that this program will provide is an affirmation to kids that it’s OK to be a little freaked out by this, because all of us are, too,” he said. “It’s really important that we convey, even if it’s in a very subtle manner, that what you’re feeling is completely normal.”

NEW YORK:

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The big upcoming “Friends” reunion special is inviting a few extra friends – maybe even you.

Castmembers of the popular show have announced that five fans will get a chance to watch the reunion taping live and rub shoulders with stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.

“Be our personal guests in the audience for the taping where you’ll get to see us all together again for the first time in ages, as we reminisce about the show and celebrate all of the fun we had,” the cast announced Tuesday. “Plus, sip a cup of coffee with us in Central Perk, and get the ‘Friends’ VIP experience on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour.”

The sweepstakes offer is being presented by The All In Challenge and all proceeds will go to No Kid Hungry, Meals on Wheels and America’s Food Fund, which benefits Feeding America and World Central Kitchen. The minimum bid is $10.

Production on the HBO Max special has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Plans call for it to be shot on the same Burbank, California,

sound stage where the series taped. (AP)