Question: What do Matt Damon, Lawrence Fishburne, and Kate Winslet have in common with the CoVid-19 global crisis?
Answer: They’re the stars of 2011’s eerily prophetic viral pandemic movie Contagion. The actors made short video PSAs about preventing the spread of the deadly coronavirus that’s infecting millions of people world-wide right now.
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Co-stars Jennifer Ehle and Marion Cotillard also contributed PSAs. These helpful videos are on Columbia University’s Control the Contagion website. Each message is about five minutes long and covers topics like how to wash your hands, the importance of staying at home and social distancing, preventing the harmful blame game, and showing how to find reliable virus information (to avoid dangerous rumors that could kill people).
Damon also delivers a small reprimand to the young people who aren’t taking the pandemic seriously, noting it’s the people we love who might pay for our carelessness.
Winslet adds, “Wash your hands like your life depends on it. Because right now, in particular, it might.”
I found Columbia U’s Be Prepared website while collecting Extra Scene info for RunPee after watching Contagion last week. Somehow I missed the flick when it came out almost ten years ago, but was duly frightened by the foretelling of current events in 2020. Scanning the end credits, I noted there isn’t an Extra Scene, but there is one little horrific message printed on-screen:
“It’s not IF, but WHEN.
Get ready at www/takepart.com/contagion”
I checked the link to see if it was live and up to date. It is… And there’s a trove of good information about CoVid-19. I’m impressed with the Contagion actors’ commitment. They’re helping save lives. The cast didn’t have to do this – they weren’t paid for the effort. The stars made these videos themselves, at home (obeying the CDC’s directives to stay inside).
Damon says, “The Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University reached out to the cast and asked us if we’d have a virtual reunion and do some PSAs. Everything you’re going to hear from us has been vetted by public health experts and scientists.”
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I’ve been using RunPee for a few years now and it’s basically a requirement of going to the movies for me. The best part of course are the “pee times” that give you cues, synopses and times for when you can pee without missing the most important parts of the movie. There is also information about the credits- length, extras and if there are any extra scenes at the wayyy end. Super helpful to just know that it is or isn’t worth staying. There is a timer function that will buzz your phone when it’s a good time to pee. I also appreciate that the app is very conscientious about it being an app you use in a theater- dark background, all silent alarms etc. I will always enjoy the experience of the theater even if I could watch things at home- but I’ve even used it at home to check for things like after credit scenes or other information too.
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Note: Each video has English and Spanish-subtitled versions.
Check out these lovely messages of hope/help right now, and send them on to anyone feeling scared, confused, or lonely in our time of self-quarantine:
Contagion Team Reunites to Create Coronavirus PSAs
Thanks, Contagion cast. It’s cool that you care.
Be smart and be safe, everyone. As Columbia U says, “The COVID-19 pandemic cannot be ended by any single person, organization, or country. We must all work together and do our part.”
Don’t miss your favorite movie moments because you have to pee or need a snack. Use the RunPee app (Androidor iPhone) when you go to the movies. We have Peetimes for all wide release films every week, including Wicked, Gladiator II, Red One, The Wild Robot and coming soon Moana 2, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, Kraven the Hunter, Mufasa: The Lion King and many others. We have literally thousands of Peetimes—from classic movies through today’s blockbusters. You can also keep up with movie news and reviews on our blog, or by following us on Twitter @RunPee. If there’s a new film out there, we’ve got your bladder covered.
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