RTÉ are seeking participants for 2 Covid-19-related TV shows

If you fancy turning your time in isolation into a TV show, RTÉ want to hear from you

We’re all doing a lot more sitting in than we have ever done these days, and that means a lot more telly watching. Since there’s not a lot else going on in our day-to-day lives, settling in for a binge watch (while simultaneously scrolling on Instagram to see what everyone else is watching too) has become a highlight of the day.

But if you fancy turning your boredom in front of the TV into something a little more exciting, you’re in luck. RTÉ have announced that they are recruiting participants for not one, but two new Covid-19-related TV shows.

One show will focus on kids and parents as they navigate homeschooling during the outbreak, and the other, a spin on Operation Transformation, will track participants as they try to stay fit and healthy during the social distancing measures.

The concept of Operation Covid Nation has received a mixed reaction online, with some describing the title as “tone-deaf”. However, others have commended RTÉ for highlighting how different households are coping with their new normal, while encouraging people to maintain healthy habits while housebound.

Home School Hub

RTÉ’s Home School Hub is a virtual classroom programme for primary school students, and they want to recruit families’ own stories as features on the show. They want to receive the following videos from interested families:

• Show your classroom at home and talk about if your parents are stricter than your teachers.
• The new skills you’ve learned since being indoors, like cooking or baking.
• The best song you know to wash your hands along to for 20 seconds
• The sports skills and exercises you’re using to stay fit while indoors
• Your pets, and some fun facts about them

You can send your videos through to [email protected] or on WhatsApp to 087 349 9862.

Operation Covid Nation

Coming to RTÉ One in April, Operation Covid Nation aims to equip people with the tools they need to stay healthy in the midst of the social distancing and self-isolation measures. The full Operation Transformation Team, including host Kathryn Thomas, dietician Aoife Hearne, personal trainer Karl Henry,  psychologist Dr. Eddie Murphy and GP Dr. Sumi Dunne, are all back to help the people of Ireland deal with Covid-19 and keep a watch on our communities and vulnerable people around us.

The OT team want to hear from households around the country on how they are dealing with the outbreak. They want households from all backgrounds – you could be a family with kids, living alone, or in a house share. Four households will eventually be chosen to participate, and will have unmanned cameras set up in their homes to film how they’re coping day to day. And don’t worry, strict social distancing guidelines will be followed by the production team.

If you’re interested in getting involved, you can find the application form here.

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