COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Since we are currently in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot yet get a complete and accurate measure of policy outcomes (policy continues to shift, and the outcomes are ongoing and fluid). However, we can a) look at the outcomes of policy during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic (which was the deadliest pandemic in modern history), and b) consider the way that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting other social problems and social institutions. Please complete both Part A and Part B below.
A) Historical Context and Policy Outcomes
First, read the following selections:
• from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) article “The Deadliest Flu: the Complete Story of the Discovery and Reconstruction of the 1918 Pandemic Virus (Links to an external site.)” by Douglas Jordan:
o “Background” section
o “Part 4: Learning From the Past” section
• the National Geographic article “How Some Cities ‘Flattened the Curve’ during the 1918 Flu Pandemic (Links to an external site.)” (2020) by Nina Strochlic and Riley D. Champine
Based on the above two articles, answer the following questions:
1. What about the social context is different today than during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic?
2. What about the social context is the same today as it was during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic?
3. What was the outcome of social distancing policy in the US during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic?
B) Interrelatedness of Social Problems
First, read the following selection:
• the United Nations article “Everyone Included: Social Impact of COVID-19 (Links to an external site.)”
Then answer the following questions (the article will apply to some questions, but you will have to brainstorm on other questions):
1. What groups are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 condition and/or related policy?
2. What social problems are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic? Is the COVID-19 condition exacerbated by any existing social problems?
3. What social institutions* (e.g. education, economy, healthcare) are being affected by the COVID-19 condition or related policy? Do any institutions or industries suffer? Do any institutions or industries profit? What areas of life are affected by the COVID-19 condition or related policy?
4. Besides the health benefits for the population, could social distancing have any positive outcomes? Could we develop any positive interactions during social distancing? Could we learn anything because of the changes that social distancing has created?

be sure to address all questions from Part A and all questions from Part B in your response