Lessons to be Learned from Polio and Influenza Discussion

Prompt: After watching this week’s videos and listening to the podcasts, compose a post that responds to the following:

  • Describe what you have learned from the variety of resources presented this week.
  • Compare key components of these findings to the more recent COVID-19 pandemic, specifically indicating the roles these occurrences have played in shaping human lives.

Response prompt: Respond to at least two of your peers by asking a question, sharing a thought, or offering an alternative perspective. Your responses should provide opportunities to advance the discussion — do not simply agree or disagree.

he 1918 Influenza Pandemic in America, Struggle Against the Spanish Flu (56:50)

This documentary recounts the many struggles survivors and their families experienced during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. It highlights more contemporary outbreaks including an intermediate pandemic in 1957, a mild pandemic in 1968 and the 2009 H1N1 infections that targeted younger members of the population with a focus on control of infection spread through vaccination programs.

The American Polio Epidemic: a complete overview in minutes (4:22)

This presentation affords a comprehensive look into the American Polio Epidemic from 1916-1955. The importance of vaccination initiatives in combating this disease is highlighted.