Role and Impact

March 2020 marked a pivotal point in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid a whirlwind of rapidly changing information and shifting health guidelines, I was entrusted with a special duty assignment in digital communications with Public Health — Seattle & King County.

The Language Access Team and their community providers struggled to keep up with the escalating need for document translations. With a mission to bridge the information gap for all residents, regardless of their linguistic background, I spearheaded the creation of a series of video Public Service Announcements (PSAs). These PSAs were presented in 24+ languages by our dedicated staff volunteers.

Deliverables

I teamed up with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks TV video crew, who were also assigned special duty with Public Health. Together, we filmed, edited, and coached staff volunteer presenters and translators, ensuring essential COVID-19 information was disseminated to every corner of our diverse communities.

• Directed the production of 60, 30, and 15-second PSAs in 24+ languages. These short yet impactful videos effectively communicated the State’s “Stay Home, Slow the Spread” health mandate.

• Led scripting and coordinated translations to ensure the message was accurately and effectively conveyed across different languages.

• Captured behind-the-scenes photographs for archiving and public display, providing a window into the effort and collaboration behind the scenes.

• Collaborated with staff volunteers to create internal communication pieces, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose within the team.

• Personally contributed to the Spanish language translation and video, adding my expertise to the effort.

Communications

• The videos debuted on Public Health’s social media platforms, garnering over 260,000 views.

• Public Health’s YouTube channel also featured the videos, racking over 16,000 views.

• We shared a behind-the-scenes gallery on Flickr, providing a candid look at the making-of process.

• The videos were circulated through various King County and Department internal news outlets, ensuring broad internal awareness and engagement.

Discover More

YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvdmG8argQHlJUW6MlotYwv8wBSRw13hr

Social Media Short Version Playlist: https://www.facebook.com/watch/128419960511627/827307234345941/

Flickr Gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kingcountydchs/albums/72157713784135196

Reflection: “This project was a reminder of the power of communication and the importance of inclusivity during crisis responses. The success of these PSAs underscored how crucial it is to reach out to every community segment, especially when conveying health mandates. It affirmed for me the potential of using multiple languages and digital platforms to bridge information gaps during times of crisis.”