The commander of the 910th Medical Squadron at the Youngstown Air Reserve Base has published an illustrated book about dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic that she says is for children and adults as well.

Col. Colleen Kelley, the author of “COVID SCHMOVID: A Primer for Survival”, has been on the front lines of the battle against the Coronavirus in her civilian job as an emergency room doctor with the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington Vermont.

According to a news release from the 910th, Commander Kelley was in a Zoom meeting with fellow doctors when Kelley said "What we all just want to say is, 'COVID schmovid!" Can't we just be done with all of this?"

The question lightened the tone of the meeting and prompted Kelley to grab a napkin and write a poem that she read to her fellow medical professionals and ultimately turn into a book.

Covid schmovid, please wear your mask.

We have plenty of nice ones. If you need one just ask!

Covid schmovid, we wash our hands every day.

Lots of bubbles keeps the virus away!

Covid schmovid, please keep your distance.

Three big steps backwards protects our co-existence.

Covid schmovid, finally there's a vaccine.

It's the best choice we have to fight what cannot be seen.

Covid schmovid, when will it go away?

That will likely happen when we are all very careful every day.

The picture book is designed to validate children's feelings in an easy-to-read children’s format that explains how to stay safe in their daily lives and continue to keep the coronavirus at bay

"It looks like a children's book, and it is,” says Kelley.  “But in truth, we are all children at heart especially when you have the joy of life with which to move forward each and every day.

Not only is the book a way to help people through its content, but all the proceeds from the book are being donated to two local organizations in Kelley's hometown in Vermont. She chose organizations that provide services to people who are most likely to have been hardest hit by the COVID pandemic.

"This was an exciting project that I hope helps to lighten the frustration and fatigue that we all have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Kelley. "While doing what is needed to help keep ourselves and our families healthy, perhaps we can smile together while hoping for a better future for us all."

The book is available on Amazon.com.