Back in 2011, a film called Contagion came out. It’s story followed a massive global outbreak of a hypothetical virus. Sound familiar? Fans of the movie have drawn plenty of parallels to the coronavirus situation currently happening in the world. But while the film’s story is a near-prediction of the events transpiring, it’s important to remember that it’s a story of fiction.
However, the film’s stars – Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, and Jennifer Ehle – have come together to help fight “misleading, inaccurate messages” about COVID-19.
Control the Contagion is a public health campaign to spread “information about scientific, evidence-based precautions that we can all take to better protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.”
The cast had a “virtual reunion” to record a series of public service announcements, teaming up with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health – the same experts that worked with director Steven Soderbergh and writer Scott Z. Burns on Contagion – for the project.
“Everything that you’re going to hear from us has been vetted by public health experts and scientists,” Matt explains in the video.
He shares how Contagion differs from real life, pointing out that while he plays a guy who was immune to the “hypothetical virus” in the movie, he has “no reason to believe that I’m immune to COVID-19. And neither do you, no matter how young you are.”
“This is a new virus. It’s going to take a while for our bodies and our doctors to understand it and to understand the best way to protect us,” Matt continues, and proceeds to discuss what social distancing is and how it can help stop the spread of the virus.
Laurence also breaks down how we can each contribute to overcoming this pandemic by staying home and social distancing. “One of the best ways to prevent yourself from getting COVID-19 is by behaving like you already have it,” he advised.
Jennifer, who played the scientist that discovered the vaccine in the movie, talks about possible vaccines down the line and advises people to listen to the experts. She also cautions against listening to false information, urging everyone to have compassion and common sense. “So until we have a vaccine or a cure, we need to be there for each other,” she says. “We can do that by listening to the public health officials where we live, observe social distancing and washing our hands often.”
Kate Winslet tells fans to “wash your hands like your life depended on it, because right now it just might or the life of someone you love.” And demonstrates the correct way to wash your hands to avoid the spread of the virus.
To quote Jennifer, “We can get through this together just by staying apart.”
Stay home. Stay safe. Stay positive. Let’s work together to flatten the curve.
