PANDEMIC (TV) (2007): CORRUPTION PROCESSES DURING A VIRAL EPIDEMIC IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, USA

A health crisis caused by the H3N7 virus that arrives in the city of Los Angeles, California, from Australia, is the trigger for a crisis that includes acts of corruption. As during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pandemic (2007) by Armand Mastroianni shows sequences of lack of political decision, micro and macro corruption, as well as a lack of social responsibility that causes thousands of deaths in a few hours. Corruption in the response to a health emergency is a serious problem that requires urgent attention as it can dramatically undermine public health efforts, exacerbate inequality, and erode trust in institutions. Here we seek to describe a brief analysis of corruption during the H3N7 epidemic, addressing the effects of corruption on health activities, exacerbating the impact of the disease, and showing the lack of social and moral commitment of citizens. Likewise, the health system is affected by political decisions and acts of corruption, reducing its response capacity.