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The following article includes discussions of acute medical conditions, mental health, and suicide.

After the past few years of the Covid-19 pandemic, it's entirely understandable that anybody would struggle to find interest in stories of disease and disorder. But the success of HBO's "The Last Of Us," an adaptation of the hit post-apocalyptic survival game by Naughty Dog, suggests we're beginning to open up again to stories about illness, loss, and the moral complexities of life on planet Earth.

Plenty of movies and television series deal with diseases, viruses, disorders, and other medical maladies. While they differ wildly in scientific accuracy, you'd be surprised how many writers, producers, and directors at least base them on real-world examples. Whether schlocky or well-researched, the media we produce and consume about illness can offer insight into our relationship with the forces of nature (and science).

We've isolated and quarantined some remarkable and/or...

New coronavirus guidelines from the nation’s top scientists, meant to help the numerous states and cities who are in the process of reopening, have been put on ice by the Trump administration.

According to a report by the AP on Thursday, a new guide “created by the nation’s top disease investigators” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled “Guidance for Implementing the Opening Up America Again Framework” was set for publication last Friday. But, according to a Cdc official, the Trump administration told the agency its...

Released in 2011, Steven Soderbergh’s Contagion was a well-researched, clear-eyed view at what would happen if the world was faced with a crippling pandemic. Nine years later, it has become a reality with the coronavirus and while the film’s popularity has now surged, those involved with the production are doing their part to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

The cast members, including Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, and Jennifer Ehle, have released a series of PSA under the campaign Control the Contagion, launched by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Vetted by doctors and experts, the series of videos distill the facts one should be aware of in navigating our strange new reality. For those curious who was involved in the basis and facts presented in these PSAs, see below:

These PSAs were written under the guidance of the same experts who worked on the film Contagion: Dr.

In this time of crisis we apparently have look to celebrities to teach us how to properly wash our hands and ensure social distancing, and now the cast of Contagion has joined the fight against Covid-19.

The cast of the 2011 film, including Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne and Jennifer Ehle, star in a series of PSA videos created in partnership with scientists from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The videos, part of the #ControltheContagion effort, were self-filmed in the actors’ home with guidance from...

The stars of Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 virus-outbreak drama “Contagion” — including Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne and Jennifer Ehle — reunited (virtually) to record a series of PSAs designed to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The stars of the film partnered with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health — a consultant on “Contagion” — in order to create the campaign #ControltheContagion.

“In the movie I played a guy who was immune to the hypothetical virus that was spreading around the world, so a few things to start: One, that was a movie, this is real life. I have no reason to believe I’m immune to Covid-19,” Damon said in his video. “Neither do you. No matter how young you are. This is a new virus, and it’s going to take some time for our bodies and our doctors to understand the best way to protect us.”

Also...

With the goal of calming Americans’ fears, President Trump used a national address to blame the spread of coronavirus on the European Union and offered little help to Americans beyond economic assistance.

Trump said in a Wednesday evening speech from the Oval Office that he is “marshaling the full power of the federal government and the private sector to protect the American people” and called the response “the most aggressive and comprehensive effort to confront a foreign virus in modern history.”

“From the beginning of time, nations and people have...

On Wednesday night’s episode of “The Colbert Report,” host Stephen Colbert broached Monsanto’s Gmo wheat controversy in his usual tongue-in-cheek style.

Colbert compared the wheat to zombies, calling it “amber waves of frankengrain” and "the return of the walking bread." He even poked fun at Monsanto for saying it is "mystified by the appearance of the wheat," noting that "at this point, [the wheat itself] can probably talk" and solve the mystery.

Colbert also mentioned that Monsanto could face criminal prosecution and a $1 million fine for the scandal, insinuating that it would be merely pocket change based on Monsanto’s profits.

Science journalist Laurie Garrett joined Colbert to discuss the new strain of wheat, and what it means for the seed giant's future. She said that Monsanto is “leaking” the fact that they may have been sabotaged, adding a dose of suspicion with the observation that "there's no reason seeds should...

Welcome to No Fact Zone’s weekly roundup of cultural references on The Colbert Report. From Darcy to Danger Mouse, String Theory to Shakespeare, we’ve got the keys to this week’s obscure, oddball, and occasionally obscene cultural shout-outs (hey!).

Konnichi wa /Konbanwa Zoners! What a great week back after vacation. Stephen and the gang were in top form yet again. I don’t think I have ever been as hungry after watching a show as I was after this weeks episodes – candy bars, pistachio ice cream, shawarmas – I was practically chomping at the bit to run for a midnight treat, but I refrained…this time. I was moved by the attention to the needs of the Japanese with his donation reminders. With everything going on right now, it’s easy for us to lose focus. Oh and Jimmy Fallon – what can I say? He found a devoted fan...

Episode Number: 7040 (March 24, 2011)

Guests: Laurie Garrett, Jody Williams

Segments: Bears & Balls – Misery Edition, Eat, Pray to Eat – Laurie Garrett, Channeled Rage

Videos: Thursday, March 24, 2011

Before I get started on the guide, I wanted to share something that happened to me at work yesterday. I have an electronic frame that, along with pictures of my husband and cats, also has some of my favorite Stephen eye candy. I also have my Kfa 2010 button hanging from my cubicle wall. The new sales guy came up to my desk to ask about getting a new stapler (putting my college degree to work there), and said “Oh hey! Stephen Colbert!” I said, “Yes … you know who he is?” He said, “Yeah! My wife and I watch the ‘Daily Show’ every night and love the ‘Colbert’ show. I watched the entire rally, too!” I said, “Really? That’s awesome! I was there, and it was cool!

I hope I got your attention with my last post about the Pacific Health Summit and the acute global threat of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (Mdr-tb). All of the issues around innovation in public health that I are covered in this post need to be placed in the perspective of this challenge and the human costs associated with it. Public health challenges like Mdr-tb also provide an opportunity to reflect on our current understanding of innovation and whether it has lived up to its promise outside the gleaming corridors of Google. There has been a healthy debate on this topic lately. A recent piece in BusinessWeek looks back at the most promising areas of scientific R&D of the last 10 years (like nanotechnology) and wonders why so few have lived up to their hype. There is no question that we have made enormous strides in the lab. Why not in the field?...