The 2011 film ‘Contagion‘ saw a massive spike in interest due to its stunning and uncanny similarity with the current Coronavirus pandemic. Scientists from Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health and Participant hit upon the novel idea of leveraging the popularity of the film among panicky audiences to spread evidence-based information about the Coronavirus and Covid-19, the disease it causes.
Prominent members of the cast of Contagion, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Ehle make an appearance in their respective videos, and share key information on how to stay safe in the midst of the raging virus and help flatten the curve.
Matt Damon offers interesting advice in his PSA, “In the movie, I played a guy who was immune to the hypothetical virus that was spreading around the world. So, a few things to start. One – that was a movie, this is real life. I have no reason to believe I’m immune to COVID-19. And neither do you, no matter how young you are.”
Damon goes on to discuss the value of social distancing in these troubled times, and why each one of us must adhere to the regulations prescribed by the health authorities.
In her PSA video, Kate Winslet talks about the importance of the thorough washing of hands. She says, “Wash your hands like your life depends on it. Because right now, in particular, it just might.”
The PSA videos have been written under expert guidance from the scientists who had helped research and write Contagion, namely Dr. Larry Brilliant, Mark Smolinski, Laurie Garrett and Dr. W. Ian Lipkin. Scott Z. Burns, screenwriter of Contagion, has also helped in writing the content of the videos.
Have a look at Matt Damon’s PSA video below –
And here’s Kate Winslet’a video-
Laurence Fishburne
Jennifer Ehle
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
