Two Pandemics

Compare the flu pandemic of 1918-1920 with the current pandemic of 2020.

What differences do you see in response? (Not medical differences, but social differences.) Of course, our analysis of the current pandemic is incomplete. You will synthesize each time period and then compare and contrast the two time periods.

Assignment directions

Read or watch TWO of the sources from the first pandemic AND TWO from the current pandemic. There are multiple Alabama interviews, Wisconsin articles, and accounts from the current pandemic. Each interview, article, or account counts as one source. A picture does not count as a source, only something written or an interview. The Breakthroughs article is a fairly current article about the earlier pandemic. The other sources are primary sources, whether of one hundred years ago or this year. For the Wisconsin newspaper articles, click on "Text" to be able to read them.

1. Using the two sources of that time period, synthesize the impact of the 1918-1920 pandemic on the U.S. and how Americans of the time responded to it.

2. Using the two sources of this time period, synthesize the impact of the current pandemic on the U.S. and how Americans of our time are responding to it. 

3. Compare and contrast the differences in effect and in response. Focus less on medical treatments and more on how society changed (is changing/is predicted to change).

You can organize your paper by time period or by topic, but not by source. 

Use only the information from the four sources you chose (and the Lecture Notes if needed). I want your analysis, not something you found on the Internet on the subject. Work alone.

2-4 pages, 12 point font, 1 inch margin all around, double-space. You don't need a title page or Works Cited since you are only discussing the four sources which you will identify in the first paragraph or as soon as you start discussing them. Use proper American English spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and paragraphs.

Sources

1918-1920

1. Alabama interviews (Links to an external site.)

2. Wisconsin newspaper articles (Links to an external site.)

3. Breakthroughs article (Links to an external site.)

2020

1. Pandemic and inequality (Links to an external site.)

2. Pandemic and politics (Links to an external site.)

3. Pandemic and world change (Links to an external site.)

4. Pandemic consequences for society (Links to an external site.)

5. Pandemic global impact (Links to an external site.)

6. Readers' stories