Smoking and Vaping make COVID-19 worse. According to the American Lung Association, our lungs rely on the normal defenses in our airways to keep bacteria and viruses from getting a foothold. This includes the normal mucus layer on our airways along with the fine thin hairs or cilia that beat in a pattern to move mucus and debris up and out of our lungs as well as the normal immune cells that live in our airways.
We know that inhaling irritating substances like tobacco smoke and vape emissions affects the ability of this muco-ciliary ladder to function well and disrupts the immune system causing a chronic degree of inflammation in our airways.
The presence of this inflammation in the face of an additional insult like SARS-CoV2 makes it harder for our lungs to combat the invading virus and sets up the risk for many severe complications of the infection.
Harmonic Convergence
This PSA was produced by Sam Turner for an experiential learning competition organized by the Georgia Cancer Center and the COMM 3030 - Audiovisual Communication course. A panel of judges with expertise in communication, video production, public relations and public health selected this PSA, entitled "It Wasn't Worth It" as the winner of the "Harmonic Convergence/Best Overall" category.
Storytelling & Storyline Originality
This PSA was produced by Mary Cashin for an experiential learning competition organized by the Georgia Cancer Center and the COMM 3030 - Audiovisual Communication course. A panel of judges with expertise in communication, video production, public relations and public health selected this PSA, entitled "Don't Take Life for Granted," as the winner of the "Storytelling & Storyline Originality" category.
Storytelling & Storyline Originality - Honorable Mention
This PSA was produced by Lexie Wolfgong for an experiential learning competition organized by the Georgia Cancer Center and the COMM 3030 - Audiovisual Communication course. A panel of judges with expertise in communication, video production, public relations and public health selected this PSA, entitled "Let Your Future Live," as honorable mention in the "Storytelling & Storyline Originality" category.
Best Message
This PSA was produced by Emily Flewellen and Brooklyn Holthaus for an experiential learning competition organized by the Georgia Cancer Center and the COMM 3030 - Audiovisual Communication course. A panel of judges with expertise in communication, video production, public relations and public health selected this PSA, entitled "The Choice," as the winner of the "Best Message/Representation of Theme" category.
Videography
This PSA was produced by Carlos Rodriguez for an experiential learning competition organized by the Georgia Cancer Center and the COMM 3030 - Audiovisual Communication course. A panel of judges with expertise in communication, video production, public relations and public health selected this PSA, entitled "Choose Wisely," as the winner of the "Videography" category.