The global spread of COVID-19 has affected life in all parts of the world to varying degrees. Each day as the number of cases continues to rise, governments around the globe have taken strict quarantine measures.
School closures are also part of epidemic prevention. For many parents and children, there is no doubt that this new lifestyle has been difficult to adapt to. As a result, many museums have opted for online exhibitions, and some online education websites have gradually opened up their resources for free use by domestic and international users.
During the outbreak, J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, used Twitter to interact closely with fans. In an attempt to prevent the epidemic from spreading, Rowling repeatedly called for home quarantine on the social media platform, adding her hope that "everyone will be safe" and "no one will be lost." At the same time, she praised the health care workers, community service workers, military personnel, and all public service workers who have contributed to the outbreak and wished them well.
Rowling previously announced she was relaxing copyright permissions around the "Harry Potter" series. She announced on Twitter that from March 20 to the end of the school year (in southern hemisphere countries this means to the end of July), teachers anywhere in the world would be able to post videos of themselves reading aloud from Harry Potter books to schools online or on educational platforms for free.
J.K. Rowling launches her first novel for adults, The Casual Vacancy, at the Southbank Centre in London, UK, September 27, 2012.
Rowling has also released a teacher's guide for teachers around the world to download.
Moreover, Rowling posted a message to Harry Potter fans on social networks on Wednesday to cheer them up. On Twitter, Rowling announced the launch of "Harry Potter at Home," an online Harry Potter themed hub. "Parents, teachers, and carers working to keep children amused and interested while we're on lockdown might need a bit of magic," Rowling said as she announced the launch.
On the site, readers can find "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts"-themed series, as well as age-appropriate readings. The site, which is updated daily, includes free resources from J.K. Rowling's collaborations with audio platform Audible, publishing companies Bloomsbury, Pottermore Publishing and Scholastic, and e-book platform OverDrive.
"Harry Potter at Home" is like J.K. Rowling's interactive online education platform. Parents, teachers and fans of all ages can find a wealth of fun reading articles and online quizzes, as well as a children's guide to their first reading, Harry Potter books, and short words on the joy of reading.
Rowling also announced that Audible and OverDrive would offer free audio versions of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" through April, with free audio services in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Japanese. An e-book version will be available as a free download in 20 languages on the OverDrive platform.
"For over twenty years now, Hogwarts has been an escape for all – for readers and fans, young and old," the website organizers added in a post introducing the platform.
The COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools and workplaces and confined thousands of people around the world to their homes, leading to a surge in internet use and increased interest in online tools. Audible Stories also announced at the event on March 19: "For as long as schools are closed, we're open."
(Cover image from VCG)