As most of the people are aware of the COVID-19 outbreak, there are many yet to know how it all started or the current progression to battle the outbreak. Started on 23 January 2020 where China took a historic step to quarantine an entire city of over 11 million people in a bid to stop a virus with the devastating potential to threaten the globe. But in just two months, the coronavirus pandemic has taken over the world, shutting down countries and impacting the lives of billions.
It came without a warning and it is spreading like wildfire. To shed light on this new invisible enemy against humanity, Discovery Channel is bringing in experts to help answer important questions around this defining global health crisis of our time. Discovery Channel will be airing COVID-19: Battling the Devil and Pandemic: COVID-19 on Astro for Malaysia to watch from 19th and 26th April respectively. Across the two documentary specials, the COVID-19 programming aims to break down the latest developments and share the stories and lessons of those battling the devil itself.
COVID-19: Battling the Devil
Airing on Sunday, 19 April at 9pm, is “COVID-19: Battling the Devil” [Discovery Channel Astro Channel 572/552 (HD)]. The programme profiles the minutes that led to the mass quarantine of Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the pandemic.
With unrivalled access to Wuhan city under lockdown, and to frontline doctors, scientists, volunteers and public officials, the documentary transports viewers inside the world’s biggest lockdown, as scientists race to understand and contain the virus. Through on-location interviews, the programme tells the story from inside the city: the tension and stress, courage and commitment of the citizens of Wuhan.
Through interviews with key players with simple re-enactments, experience first-hand what it took China to sift through genomes, economic impact, medical readiness, painstaking risk assessments and conflict of opinions. What we’ve learned from those first few weeks is now crucial to understanding what we’re facing today. These lessons could help the rest of the world in the battle to come.
Pandemic: COVID-19
The second programme, “Pandemic: COVID-19”, is set to premiere on Sunday, 26 April [9pm, on Discovery Channel Astro Channel 572/552 (HD)]. This hour-long special examines how, within a matter of weeks, COVID-19 spread throughout China and beyond, alarming healthcare professionals and scientists.
The programme will delve inside the fight to contain the pandemic with the latest news on how authorities across the world are coordinating to test and treat patients, and to prevent further spread. From the virus’ transmission to treatment, experts will reveal why COVID-19 is unique, why the world was so unprepared for it and what could be done differently to contain its spread.
The special also traces the origin of the outbreak in the United States to the first patient, its rapid spread in Seattle and probes the dramatic and unexpected transmission across the country. Discover the effects of the drastic measures happening across America as institutions, schools and businesses shut down to prevent transmission. Hear first-hand accounts from the experts in medicine on the frontlines as well as academia, government officials and patients.
So make sure to schedule your calendar for the two documentaries. If you’re planning to watch more similar documentaries, do follow Discovery social media site Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.