What you should read, watch and listen to this weekend.
Contagion Amazon Prime
The threat of deadly outbreak of fatal disease and people determined to keep it at bay. The worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control faster spread of the virus. Scientific accuracies in the film include how the virus first originated. It was passed from animals to humans. A bat dropped a piece of fruit it was eating, that was eaten by a pig, transferring a virus from the bat that then mutates with a virus in the pig.
Matter of coincidence? Epidemiologist Ian Lipkin who served as medical expert for the film tested positive for coronavirus.
Also read: Why we probably should have taken the 2011 movie about a deadly pandemic more seriously
- Anukriti Malik
Making Sense with Sam Harris |Episode #194: The New Future of Work Spotify/Google Podcasts
In this podcast, neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris talks to Matt Mullenweg, the founder of Wordpress. Matt runs an organisation with 1,200 employees but no physical office. Everybody has been working from home, all the time, even before the pandemic situation. And they thrive. Since a lot of us will be working from home for a while, some of the things he talks about can be put to good use. For now and the future.
- Meghnad S
Don't call it 'social distancing' CNN
In these trying times, the piece argues how more than ever before, it's important to stay socially connected while maintaining physical distance. Using technology, we can measure our mental health and keep a check on our social responsibilities rather than collapsing into rampant individualism. A must-read if you dont know how to deal with isolation.
- Hameeda Syed
What a World at Home Looks Like Vice News
From Italy to Senegal, public spaces around the world are now nearly deserted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Pramey Nigdikar
The next outbreak? We’re not ready TED Talk by Bill Gates in 2015
"The failure to prepare could allow the next epidemic to be dramatically more devastating than Ebola," Gates said said, using the example of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Africa to illustrate how the world doesn't just have bad systems, it has none, to really tackle an epidemic. He stresses on the need to have a global health alert and response system like we have for war. He lists steps to make sure we can handle a global epidemic. For example: Run simulations, germ games like the military does.
Five years ago, Gates said, "We don't need to panic...We need to get going." Did we get going? Do we panic now?
- Aditya Varier
Yuval Noah Harari: the world after coronavirus FT
"This storm will pass. But the choices we make now could change our lives for years to come."
- Ayan Sharma
Colors Black Pumas
Just a great, groovy song that'll help you chill if you're stressed. Try it.
- Ayush Tiwari
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