Ep 11. Evolution of a Plague & Campus Coverup

In season 3 episode 11 of Vice, viewers are taken on a journey through two contrasting yet equally pressing issues. The first segment, "Evolution of a Plague," explores how the global community has responded to the growing threat of influenza and other deadly pathogens. With the rise of air travel and global trade, diseases are spreading faster than ever before. This evolution of a plague has seen governments and health organizations scramble to find cures and prevent outbreaks, but with mixed success. The segment delves into the complex world of disease research, tracking the cutting-edge work being done to predict and combat new strains of flu and other viruses.

The episode's second segment, "Campus Coverup," takes a much more domestic focus, exposing a pervasive problem on American university campuses: sexual assault. The Vice team interviews survivors of campus assault, as well as activists and lawyers working to hold perpetrators accountable. They explore how the issue has been ignored, with universities often more concerned with protecting their reputations than with bringing justice to victims. Viewers are shown how survivors who speak out often face harassment from fellow students and intimidation from the administration.

Through these two compelling stories, Vice season 3 episode 11 highlights the pressing need for institutional reform in all areas of public health and safety. Both segments showcase how government and university institutions can sometimes have priorities that do not align with those of the public, leading to coverups, corruption, and inaction. Ultimately, the show challenges viewers to join the push for change, and to reject the status quo by demanding improvement, accountability, and justice.