Ep 7. The Next Pandemic

Explained is a documentary series on Netflix that explores various topics and provides a deep dive into the subject matter. Season 2 episode 7, titled The Next Pandemic, examines the possibility and potential impacts of a future pandemic.

The episode begins by discussing the history of pandemics, starting with the Bubonic Plague in the Middle Ages and moving forward to more recent outbreaks such as SARS and Ebola. The narrator explains that pandemics have become more frequent in recent years due to factors such as population growth and increased travel.

The show then explores the potential sources of the next pandemic, with a focus on zoonotic diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans. The episode explains that the vast majority of pandemics have been caused by zoonotic diseases, and that there are many potential sources of these diseases, including wild animals and domesticated animals.

The narrator explains that the conditions that make it more likely for a pandemic to occur include a high population density, poor hygiene practices, and a lack of funds for disease prevention and treatment. The show goes on to examine the role that climate change could play in the emergence of new diseases, and how deforestation and other environmental factors can increase the likelihood of pandemics.

Next, the episode focuses on the potential impacts of a pandemic, both in terms of human life and the global economy. The show explains that a pandemic could cause millions of deaths and could have a massive economic impact, with many businesses shutting down and people losing their jobs.

The episode goes on to explore various strategies for preventing and responding to pandemics, such as investing in disease surveillance and response systems, increasing funding for research on new treatments and vaccines, and improving hygiene practices in hospitals and other healthcare settings.

The narrator also discusses the role that technology could play in preventing and responding to pandemics, such as using data analytics to track outbreaks and identify potential hotspots for disease transmission. The show goes on to examine the ethical questions surrounding pandemic response, such as how to balance the need for public health with individual rights and freedoms.

Overall, The Next Pandemic provides a comprehensive look at the potential for a future pandemic and what can be done to prevent and respond to it. It is a timely and informative episode that offers valuable insights into a pressing global issue.