Deadly Months for Pandemics -- Viral Outbreaks in American History
Pandemics can happen anytime -- like air plane crashes, terrorist attacks, and wars -- but September through February are especially deadly months.
Edward Simmons
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(692)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
September 2020 about February 2021 were especially deadly months for Covid-19. Will that happen again from 2021-2022? Historical experience with viral outbreaks shows that colder months can be deadly. By reviewing lessons from the Influenza pandemic of 1918-1920 along with pandemics or near-pandemics since 1920, we can see how colder months are so deadly. Lessons can be drawn from history pointing to strategies Americans can use to protect themselves from Covid-19, influenza, and other viruses. Resources: The following Internet resources are accessed or are listed as follow up information in a slide show. (1) World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-similarities-and-differences-with-influenza); (2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html; and https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/campaign.html); (3) Johns Hopkins University (https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html); and (4) CNN ( https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/health/coronavirus-us-maps-and-cases/; and https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/13/us/coronavirus-washington-choir-outbreak-trnd/index.html)
Learning Goals
Students will learn practical historical information to promote self care during a health crisis in a way that also alleviates fear by encouraging responsible behaviors. They will gain appreciation for the importance of vigilant public health professionals in a world where transportation can spread disease at nearly the speed of sound. Knowledge based on evidence and historical data should help prevent the use of misinformation that could further complicate the deadly effects of cold weather during a pandemic.
Other Details
Supply List
Two handouts will be supplied for reference use before, during, or after the course. Reading them before class is helpful but not required.
2 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
This course builds on my course "How Black Plague, Smallpox, and Influenza Changed World History." This time the focus is more on American history with viral outbreaks.
Joined May, 2020
4.9
692reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am a Vanderbilt Ph.D. who has spent a lifetime learning and teaching world history, especially in connection with science, archaeology, Bible studies, and philosophy. Being drafted (Vietnam period) just as I started my college teaching career shoved me in unexpected directions and into a state job teaching interpersonal skills, leadership, and all kinds of management skills to top people in Georgia's largest agency and being shared often with many other agencies. In retirement I returned to my first love 10 years ago.
When teaching college freshmen or my teenage grandchildren any subject, my priorities always include how to go about learning, thinking, and reading critically. Finding one's own way is essential -- and it always involves making work into something fun and interesting. Having children and grandchildren with ADHD, I have also learned that every student must find their own path no matter what sort of label others want to put on them. I also believe teachers must be examples of important values -- compassion, tolerance, and appropriate tough-mindedness.
The courses I teach will usually involve issues from American History or World History that are important for understanding what is happening in the world today. An important function of history is to help people understand current events and thus to grow into informed citizens.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$20
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 78 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
1-6 learners per class
