MC2006
Veteran Member
Earlier this week, PBS NewsHour science reporter Miles O’Brien slammed U.S. media’s generally breathless and panic-stricken coverage of the Ebola outbreak that he feels “borders on irresponsibility.” He singled out Fox News Channel coverage in particular as having a “racial component,” especially considering the disease’s initial outbreak in West Africa, and as reflecting “a level of ignorance which we should not allow in our media and in our discourse.”
Following that, PBS has a chance to change the discourse in tonight’s installment of NOVA called “Surviving Ebola.” Discussing such a deadly disease as this, it is probably impossible to get away from any type of scariness, but “Surviving Ebola” admirably shows restraint (although the use of brooding elements from Hans Zimmer’s musical score for The Dark Knight movies does add an ominous undertone at points in the hourlong program; admittedly, I watched a fine cut of the program, so the music may be altered for final airing).
The episode goes around the world — from the CDC in Atlanta to hot zones like Liberia to Canada to London and more — to talk with doctors and other health care workers, as well as Ebola survivors. It also travels back in time, to explore the discovery of the virus in 1976 (complete with fascinating film taken at the time by the Belgian researchers who traveled to a mission in the Congo to uncover the source of the illness that had been striking people there, and who named the virus after the nearby Ebola River), and to trace the beginnings of this current epidemic, the worst Ebola outbreak ever (starting back with a West African boy, known to us now only as Patient Zero, back in December 2013).
As the episode covers the months — and growing body count — since that initial outbreak, which wasn’t confirmed as Ebola until 15 weeks into it, “Surviving Ebola” also follows the researchers who have worked to try and prevent further spread here and abroad, and tells the fascinating story of how
the possible curative drug ZMapp was developed (as well as explaining the challenges of producing it on a large scale).
Refreshingly, this episode uncovers empathy for those suffering from the illness, especially the people in West Africa (or, “Whocaresistan,” as Stephen Colbert’s faux right-wing pundit character describes it, in a sadly accurate portrayal of how some Americans may view the far-off place). One British health care worker in particular gets quite emotional as she describes watching helplessly as the people she is caring for die. “In a protective suit,” she says, “no one can see if you’re crying.” She explains trying to give the people in her care any sort of comfort, especially physical touch, but admits that is hard when one is wearing three layers of gloves. When it comes to disposing of the dead, she sadly describes it as “like erasing somebody.” Interviews like hers offer a welcome counterpoint to some of the abject cruelty that has been on display, especially from unhinged attention-seekers who advocate that anyone with Ebola should merely be “humanely” executed.
There are elements of hope in the episode, as well. In one part, scientists are seen working with survivors of a 2000 Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Somehow, the immune systems of these lucky few were able to overcome the illness, and researchers are hoping to find out what their bodies produce to make them, in the words of one doctor, “the blessed ones.” And, in the discussions of ZMapp, we hear about how it has successfully treated people like the now-famous Dr. Kent Brantly, as well as a British nurse interviewed for the episode. He describes having Ebola as feeling “like you’re hosting a malevolent force inside your body,” and happily recalls the day when the doctor told him the disease was no longer detectable in him. The Westerners treated with ZMapp all express a desire to see the still-experimental treatment made available in West Africa.
“Surviving Ebola” must have had a quick production turnaround, as it even includes, at the end, reference to last week’s discovery of the first Ebola case diagnosed in the United States (Thomas Eric Duncan, who unfortunately passed away this morning). But the episode doesn’t feel rushed; it provides a needed sense of some calm and recognition that yes, you can trust that there are smart and caring people working on helping people suffering from the virus, and on helping to further ways of treating it and perhaps one day eradicating it. It is informative, alarming at times (but not in a purposely fearmongering way) and even hopeful in spots. It is perhaps the type of balanced, truthful coverage that Miles O’Brien was looking for, and is some of the better coverage I’ve seen recently on American television.
NOVA: “Surviving Ebola” airs Oct. 8 at 10pm ET on PBS (check local listings). SEE IT HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF-KFDtEwrE#t=155
http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/..._medium=rss&utm_campaign=nova-surviving-ebola
Following that, PBS has a chance to change the discourse in tonight’s installment of NOVA called “Surviving Ebola.” Discussing such a deadly disease as this, it is probably impossible to get away from any type of scariness, but “Surviving Ebola” admirably shows restraint (although the use of brooding elements from Hans Zimmer’s musical score for The Dark Knight movies does add an ominous undertone at points in the hourlong program; admittedly, I watched a fine cut of the program, so the music may be altered for final airing).
The episode goes around the world — from the CDC in Atlanta to hot zones like Liberia to Canada to London and more — to talk with doctors and other health care workers, as well as Ebola survivors. It also travels back in time, to explore the discovery of the virus in 1976 (complete with fascinating film taken at the time by the Belgian researchers who traveled to a mission in the Congo to uncover the source of the illness that had been striking people there, and who named the virus after the nearby Ebola River), and to trace the beginnings of this current epidemic, the worst Ebola outbreak ever (starting back with a West African boy, known to us now only as Patient Zero, back in December 2013).
As the episode covers the months — and growing body count — since that initial outbreak, which wasn’t confirmed as Ebola until 15 weeks into it, “Surviving Ebola” also follows the researchers who have worked to try and prevent further spread here and abroad, and tells the fascinating story of how
the possible curative drug ZMapp was developed (as well as explaining the challenges of producing it on a large scale).
Refreshingly, this episode uncovers empathy for those suffering from the illness, especially the people in West Africa (or, “Whocaresistan,” as Stephen Colbert’s faux right-wing pundit character describes it, in a sadly accurate portrayal of how some Americans may view the far-off place). One British health care worker in particular gets quite emotional as she describes watching helplessly as the people she is caring for die. “In a protective suit,” she says, “no one can see if you’re crying.” She explains trying to give the people in her care any sort of comfort, especially physical touch, but admits that is hard when one is wearing three layers of gloves. When it comes to disposing of the dead, she sadly describes it as “like erasing somebody.” Interviews like hers offer a welcome counterpoint to some of the abject cruelty that has been on display, especially from unhinged attention-seekers who advocate that anyone with Ebola should merely be “humanely” executed.
There are elements of hope in the episode, as well. In one part, scientists are seen working with survivors of a 2000 Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Somehow, the immune systems of these lucky few were able to overcome the illness, and researchers are hoping to find out what their bodies produce to make them, in the words of one doctor, “the blessed ones.” And, in the discussions of ZMapp, we hear about how it has successfully treated people like the now-famous Dr. Kent Brantly, as well as a British nurse interviewed for the episode. He describes having Ebola as feeling “like you’re hosting a malevolent force inside your body,” and happily recalls the day when the doctor told him the disease was no longer detectable in him. The Westerners treated with ZMapp all express a desire to see the still-experimental treatment made available in West Africa.
“Surviving Ebola” must have had a quick production turnaround, as it even includes, at the end, reference to last week’s discovery of the first Ebola case diagnosed in the United States (Thomas Eric Duncan, who unfortunately passed away this morning). But the episode doesn’t feel rushed; it provides a needed sense of some calm and recognition that yes, you can trust that there are smart and caring people working on helping people suffering from the virus, and on helping to further ways of treating it and perhaps one day eradicating it. It is informative, alarming at times (but not in a purposely fearmongering way) and even hopeful in spots. It is perhaps the type of balanced, truthful coverage that Miles O’Brien was looking for, and is some of the better coverage I’ve seen recently on American television.
NOVA: “Surviving Ebola” airs Oct. 8 at 10pm ET on PBS (check local listings). SEE IT HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF-KFDtEwrE#t=155
http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/..._medium=rss&utm_campaign=nova-surviving-ebola
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