The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Lessons

Public health, with its goals of preventing disease, promoting health and prolonging life, comprises a complex system affecting almost every facet of life, both in health and disease. Because its activities are population-based, most of its work remains in the background, out of sight and many times out of mind—until a public health crisis occurs. COVID-19 was a perfect storm.

  • The Wuhan Outbreak of COVID-19

    In Wuhan, China, four unusual hospital cases of atypical viral pneumonia were reported to the local center for disease control on December 27, 2019. Since then, COVID-19 has infected many hundreds of millions of people globally.

  • The COVID-19 Public Health Crisis

    Public health rests on both epidemiology and emergency preparedness. In an outbreak of an infectious disease, it is the science of epidemiology that defines the response, while emergency preparedness planning provides its framework.

  • What Happened in the USA During the Pandemic?

    In 2019, the US had scored the highest on the Global Health Security Index of Pandemic Preparedness. So how could a country that outranked 194 other countries suffer the third highest age-adjusted mortality among similarly ranked countries during the COVID pandemic?

  • Preparing for the Next Pandemic Crisis

    We know for certain we will have another deadly global pandemic; but we don’t know when or where it will begin. How do we prepare?

Book Review

Healthy Pleasures

Imagine a medical treatment that can help lower your blood pressure, decrease your risk for heart disease and cancer, boost your immune function and block pain. It’s safe, inexpensive and readily available. The main side effects include feeling good, an increased sense of well-being and greater self-confidence. Would you take it?

Book Review

Beyond the Hole in the Wall

Discover the Power of Self-Organized Learning

Sugata Mitra’s now famous experiments have shone light on the immense capacities that children have for learning in self-composed and self-regulated groups.

Book Review

Improbable Scholars

The Rebirth of a Great American School System and a Strategy for America’s Schools

How do we determine if our schools are preparing students for a meaningful future in our society and improve the schools that are not living up to those standards? Explores the current crisis in American education and four districts that have made positive changes.

Book Review

One World School House

Education Reimagined

There may be a young girl in an African village with the potential to find a cancer cure. A fisherman’s son in New Guinea might have incredible insight into the health of the oceans. By combining technology with the best teaching practices, we can foster students who are capable of creative approaches to real-world problems.

Further Reading »