Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Indigenous Rappers Warn Australians of COVID-19 Threat

Phil Mercer

   SYDNEY - Indigenous rappers have been brought in to help protect some
   of Australia's most vulnerable people from COVID-19.

   Throughout the pandemic, there's been a concerted effort to protect
   remote Aboriginal communities, which already have high rates of heart,
   liver and respiratory diseases, as well as diabetes and cancer, from
   the coronavirus. However, 80% of Indigenous Australians live in towns
   and cities, and measures to prevent the spread of infection have been
   boosted by a new awareness campaign.
   "It is our job, young mob. You got this, little sis. Keep it up," are
   just some of the lyrics of the song "One Point Five." It is about safe
   social distancing at 1½ meters, and it's a message for Australia's
   urban Aboriginal communities.
   It was co-written by Mi-Kaisha Masella, a young Indigenous singer from
   Sydney.
   "For us it was about creating a song that would encourage community to
   continue to stay COVID-safe and also bring a little bit of fun and
   pride back into isolation," Masella said.

.