Watch 54 Days: America and the Pandemic
- TV-MA
- 2019
- 1 Season
54 Days: America and the Pandemic is a gripping documentary series that chronicles the first 54 days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Produced by BBC Select, the series casts a forensic eye on the events leading up to the pandemic, as well as the government's response to it. Through a combination of interviews with leading experts and officials, news footage and expert analysis, the series presents a detailed and insightful account of how the pandemic unfolded in the US.
The series features interviews with key figures in the US government, including Dr Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Dr Robert Redfield, the former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, the series features leading public health experts, scientists, journalists and others, who offer their perspectives on the pandemic and its impact.
The first episode of the series focuses on the origins of the pandemic, and how the novel coronavirus spread from Wuhan, China to the United States. Through interviews with public health officials and experts, the episode examines how the US government responded to the threat of the virus in the early days, and compares this to the approach taken by other countries. The episode also explores how the virus entered the US undetected, and how the country's supply chain quickly became overwhelmed by demand for personal protective equipment.
The second episode of the series examines the government's response to the pandemic in the critical early days of the outbreak. Through interviews with insiders and experts, the episode analyzes the government's approach to testing, contact tracing, and the provision of medical supplies. It also explores the role played by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the country's response to the pandemic, including the controversial decision to stop sending test kits to state public health labs in early February.
The third episode of the series focuses on the impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers and patients across the United States. Through interviews with healthcare workers, administrators and patients, the episode provides a harrowing account of how hospitals and healthcare facilities struggled to cope with the influx of critically ill patients. The episode also explores the impact of the pandemic on communities of color and other marginalized groups, who were disproportionately affected by the virus.
The final episode of the series examines the government's response to the pandemic in the months following the critical 54-day period. Through interviews with experts and insiders, the episode assesses the government's response to the growing number of cases and deaths across the country, and considers how other countries were able to curb the spread of the virus more effectively. The episode also explores the long-term implications of the pandemic for US public health and the economy.
Overall, 54 Days: America and the Pandemic is an informative and powerful series that provides a detailed and insightful account of the first 54 days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Through a combination of expert analysis and gripping storytelling, the series offers a unique perspective on one of the most significant events of our time.