Good morning, and welcome to Kid News. I'm Tori. It's Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

And we begin with the Mascalorian on the move.

An improv actor decided to find a fun and humorous way to encourage people to wear masks during the pandemic.

So Matt Adams decided to dress up in a costume inspired by the hit Star Wars show The Mandalorian.

The Mascalorian has a cape, shoulder armor, gloves, and helmet

that of course includes a blue disposable mask. And strapped to his chest is what looks like a baby Yoda,

but is called Mascu, who is also wearing a tiny, custom-made blue mask.

The Mascalorian has so far handed out over a thousand face masks in both Adams' former home of New York City

and his new home of Austria, where he lives and works with his wife. And he says for the most part,

his efforts generate a lot of smiles, laughs, and positive feedback.

Australia is putting out its welcome mat for the first time in nearly two years.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced yesterday that the country will reopen on February 21st

to international tourists who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Australia has moved from a COVID-0 approach in which it shut its borders to nearly all non-citizens

and tried to stamp out every outbreak to now living with the virus.

But this doesn't mean the entire country is fully open. Individual states can control their own borders

and may still require overseas visitors to quarantine for a time.

Black History Month is celebrated every February to remember the many contributions African Americans have made to society.

American historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson came up with the idea in 1926.

And this year the focus is on the health and well-being of the African American community

and also recognizing the achievements of black medical practitioners and scientific pioneers.

These include Dr. James McHughan Smith, who was the first African American to earn a medical degree in the 1830s

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