Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been one of the most effective institutions in fight against emerging diseases. Yet, strikingly, the US has become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elimination of the immensely important the Global Health Security and Biodefense unit — responsible for pandemic preparedness — established in 2015 is now deemed one of the biggest political mistakes of our time. Unfortunately political interference continued to render experts of this most cutting edge organization largely ineffective and left behind public opinion as stated by five former CDC directors.
Knowledge is power and informed citizens are key for leading a coordinated effort against diseases. It is crucial to learn about certain biological basics of pathogens. The BBC Documentary The Hidden Life of the Cell has done a wonderful job of providing a visual story by animating series of events leading to an Adenovirus infection. Thanks to structural biologists we know how different coronaviruses get into our cells.
The outbreak started in a live animal market in Wuhan and molecular evidence suggests that the virus probably jumped onto humans after recombining inside illegally trafficked endangered pangolins.
Most of the world’s attention is naturally focused on transmission statistics and death rates. Now as the reports accumulate a disturbing new picture is emerging. COVID-19 is a multi-organ disease. Once it invades lungs it then attacks almost almost every potential tissue the blood can circulate through. The recovery can be debilitatingly long and damage to some organs can be permanent. This adds an additional and significant burden.
Here in this PBS NOVA documentary, join the health workers on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 and meet the researchers racing to develop cures and vaccines.
The film calls on U.S. infectious disease experts and scientists working at the cutting edge of research for scientific solutions. Though scientists have not yet found a cure, the worldwide effort to attack the virus on multiple fronts has been unprecedented and inspiring.
“DECODING COVID-19” is a NOVA Production by Holt Productions, LLC for WGBH Boston. Written, produced, and directed by Sarah Holt. Co-produced by Jane Teeling, Caitlin Saks, David Borenstein and Ma Liyan. Edited by Ralph Avellino, Ryan Shepheard, and Michael Amundson. Co-Executive Producers for NOVA are Julia Cort and Chris Schmidt. NOVA is a production of WGBH Boston.
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