Netflix documentary Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak has become the must-watch series on the streaming platform amid the coronavirus COVID-19. The series comes at a time where Britain, along with the rest of the world, has gone into isolation in a bid to stave off the infection. The programme was released on January 22 and has become a quickly binged series amid the rise of COVID-19.
All six episodes of Pandemic were dropped at the same time, shortly after Wuhan in China started reporting cases of coronavirus.
However, Pandemic is unrelated to coronavirus and chillingly, it was simply a coincidence the show came out at the same time as this new outbreak hit the globe.
Pandemic serves up some important lessons, the first one being another worldwide flu epidemic was always on the cards.
The series explores the preparation and procedures in place to cope with an outbreak from a medical perspective.
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Despite Pandemic being so relevant, the documentary was filmed in America and across the world in 2019.
The series explores previous epidemics such as the Spanish Influenza in 1918, which happened after World War I when soldiers were returning to their home nations after the conflict.
Other outbreaks which are referred to include Ebola, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, among others.
Pandemic features scientists from around the about fighting an influenza pandemic.
Among them is the US government expert on infectious diseases Dr Dennis Carrol, who says: “A pandemic influenza will likely come from an animal and it will be a new and novel, never-seen-before virus.
“When a novel virus emerges from animals, we will not have the natural immunity.
“Our systems will have no means to fight the infection off, which means it has the potential for being very deadly.
“That’s why there are researchers around the world committed to developing a universal vaccine that will be effective against any and all influence viruses.”
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Episode one opens with a group of doctors taking part in an outbreak simulation with Senior Director, System Special Pathogens Program of NYC Health and Hospitals Dr Syra Madad telling the other medics the infection they’re dealing with is “novel”.
She later mentions the term “novel” again when explaining how the 1995 Dustin Hoffman movie Outbreak was pivotal in her decision to pursue a career in infectious diseases.
Dr Madad also warned those on the frontline in hospitals are at a high risk.
She said they were previously disproportionately affected by the Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERs) outbreaks.
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Many people now want to know what the term “novel” refers to and its context within science and medicine.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary online, novel refers to a “new and not resembling something formerly known or used”.
The dictionary goes on to state novel also means: “original or striking especially in conception or style.”
In Pandemic, a novel virus is one which hasn’t been seen before – much like the COVID-19 outbreak.
Despite the concerns around the current coronavirus outbreak, the Netflix documentary also offers hope.
The documentary showcases the work scientists were previously undertaking to combat influenza viruses prior to the new coronavirus outbreak.
Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak is streaming on Netflix now
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