The one-hour special, “The ABC’s of Covid 19: A CNN / Sesame Street Town Hall for Families,” aired Saturday morning and was presented by CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Anchor Erica Hill and Big Bird.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who will continue to advise the White House as chief medical officer to President-elect Joe Biden, also answered questions from viewers.
Big Bird was disappointed that he can’t make his traditional bird seed fruit cake with his grandmother, but says that instead they will cook together by video.
Dr. Gupta said he will make care packages for his neighbors and leave them at their doors.
He said he would ring the doorbell and then see them open the presents from a safe distance.
Sesame Street character Zoe said she was making gifts for her neighborhood heroes and showed a painted rock she made for local firefighters.
Oscar el Grouch was just happy to have an excuse to stay in the trash, away from the crowds.
Dr. Fauci, when will we be able to embrace our families again?
Freddie, 4, told Dr. Fauci that he wanted to give his grandmother a hundred hugs.
“I think if you’re in the immediate house … and he’s not someone who might come in and travel … yes, you can give them hugs,” Dr. Fauci told him.
However, Dr. Fauci said that if this person has traveled through airports and train stations and enters their home, this is more of a concern.
Children and the vaccine
Viewers wanted to know when children can get the vaccine and see their friends again.
Dr. Fauci explained that to be safer, health officials want to wait a month or two to start testing on children.
“So we just need to stay there for a couple more months and we’ll be in good shape,” Fauci said.
The children also asked Dr. Fauci if the vaccine hurts.
He assured them that the shot is a “pinch,” but the pinch only lasts a few seconds.
Dr. Gupta, who received the first of two doses of vaccine, showed a photo of his Elmo doll and that it matches Elmo Band-Aid.
He said it didn’t hurt a bit.
Will Santa still be able to come to my house?
Dr. Fauci said he himself personally traveled to the North Pole and vaccinated Santa.
“I measured his immunity level and it’s good to go there,” Dr. Fauci said. “He can go down the chimney, he can leave the presents, he can leave and you have nothing to worry about.”
Feeling grateful with fewer gifts
With so many families struggling to lose jobs this year, hosts asked Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, about ways people can get through what could be a looser Christmas. .
“There are many ways to stop and reflect on the things we have as we try to think about what’s to come,” Babineaux-Fontenot said.
“One of the things that really helped me as a kid … was that song that I thought had a little, powerful trick,” he said. “It’s called ‘My Favorite Things’ and what forced me to do it is write a list of all the things I already have that I really value.”
For her, it was the color purple or her favorite doll at the time, Mrs. Beasley.
Or, you can make a list of all the people you are truly grateful for in your life and write notes explaining why you thank them, she suggested.
“Anyone can have an impact, regardless of age”
“You can help by doing something small, even if it’s about saying ‘hello’ to someone or making a query to your neighbors. I always say anyone can have an impact, regardless of their age,” he said.