Josie Collier
Editor-in-Chief
The acclaimed TV show “The Simpsons” has predicted major events such as presidencies and Superbowl wins, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to their audience when they foresee other worldly events. But sadly in this case, the Netflix special series “Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” has mimicked the accuracy of prophesying global occurrences as it has successfully predicted a future the world is currently living in, but only they saw it coming.
“Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” effectively and succinctly informs viewers about how the world is on the brink of a viral pandemic. Focusing on and featuring the faces of the fight against global viruses, the series produces masterful story-telling techniques and cinematography that leaves viewers so scared and speechless about the horrors of viruses that they cannot believe how accurately the subjects of the series predicted the global pandemic of COVID-19, or Coronavirus.
The series consists of six episodes and each episode contains about four chapters that focus on different healthcare professionals, scientists, doctors and volunteers predicting and preparing for the possibility of global pandemic. The message from each medical professional is that if action is not taken immediately to halt the spread of viruses, it will lead to the possible eradication of the human race.
Filmed in 2019, but released earlier this year, the series follows the stories of different medical professionals attempting to identify and control viruses that originated internationally and spread to the United States. One of the most eerie ideas preached throughout the series is that the world is so close to a viral pandemic that it is “not a matter of if, but when” that pandemic will occur. Sadly and ironically, this series could not be a more fitting and informative Netflix binge during the crisis of COVID-19 that the world is facing.
A component of the series that makes it so engaging and moving is how it organizes and presents the story. Featuring close to ten different medical professionals that span from locations in Lebanon to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the series is able to incorporate a global perspective that shows how people from all corners of the earth are fighting viruses to protect those at home. This global perspective instills a feeling of smallness within the viewer because they see how massive of a problem viruses are, and this feeling allows the series to successfully communicate the gravity of the situation they are facing.
Another way that “Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” masterfully conveys its story is through highlighting the personal lives of the doctors and scientists they feature. Opening the doors behind their homes, the series establishes the emotional connection and reasoning for why these people are risking their lives for others. The series is able to gracefully present the passion and reasoning that each individual has for fighting these viruses to protect their families and communities, making it a watch that is so heartfelt it is hard to turn off the television because it would be ignoring the hours of dedication these people have put into their work.
One of the more interesting storylines followed in the series is the Orgeonian community of anti-vaxxers. The anti-vaxxer is actually in opposition to the series’s message of the importance of halting the spread of the viruses. The series interviews activists for the anti-vaxxer movement that are trying to stop a bill that would require mandated vaccinations for those who want to partake in state funded programs such as school or sports in Oregon.
The dialogue between those in opposition and agreement for the passage of the bill demonstrates the increasing threat of viruses rapidly spreading because of the misinformation communicated ingrains a sense of fear and realization in those who watch because they see the correlation between the increase spread of viruses and the increase rate of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children. Though the series attempts to highlight valid sides of both arguments, they make a stylistic editing choice that leaves the last word to those in agreement with vaccinating their children to effectively communicate that the first step to stop the spreading of viruses starts with a vaccination.
“Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” has impeccable cinematography that serves as an asset to the overall aesthetic of the series. With film that focuses on the profiles and close shots of their subjects, they are able to produce an intimate feel despite the vastness of the problems unfolding. The cinematography adds another layer of depth to its already intense nature.
“Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” creatively educates viewers about viruses on a professional level but also taps into the emotional side of the audience which allows them to assure that they leave everyone more mindful and aware about the possibility of a global pandemic. Though this prediction is now a reality for the entire world, another idea conveyed in the series was that hope is not lost and innovation and science are finding ways to solve these problems.
Released on Jan. 22 “Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak” is available for streaming on Netflix.
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