Student Activities for COVID 19 and the 1918 Pandemic
Essential Questions for Pandemics
- How do Americans respond to deadly pandemics?
- How do viruses like Covid 19 spread?
- What can we do to help prevent the spread of Covid 19?
COVID-19 in the United States
The numbers used in Covid discussions continue to grow beyond imagination. As of February 2021, Covid 19 cases around the globe have exceeded 106.5 million. There have been 2.32 million deaths worldwide from Covid. In the United States alone, there have been over 27 million cases with over 465,000 deaths. This is vastly more than any other country. The United States makes up over 18% of Covid deaths worldwide despite the fact that the United States only makes up about 4% of the world's population.
On December 31, 2019, the first confirmed cases of Covid 19 were detected in Wuhan, China. Scientists saw that because this was a new disease that humans did not have immunity to, it would spread quickly and be devastating. Less than one month later, on January 21, 2020, Washington state declared its first case of Covid 19, becoming the first confirmed case on U.S. soil. About a month after that, on February 26, 2020, CDC (Center for Disease Control) officials confirmed a case of Covid 19 in California that had no known origin, leading them to believe it was the first case of "community spread". This was significant because without being able to identify the origin of transmission, scientists knew that this could mean the disease could quickly spread out of control.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO (World Health Organization) declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, meaning a disease that was now prevalent all over the world. Following the WHO's announcement, the Trump administration declared a national emergency, which allowed for $50 billion in federal resources to be released to combat coronavirus. There were conflicting messages regarding mask wearing in the early days. Some thought it unnecessary while many scientists urged that masks and social distancing would drastically reduce the spread of the virus.
Scientists quickly began researching a vaccine, but it took many months to develop and study. On December 14, 2020, almost a year after the first confirmed case, U.S. Officials announced that the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine were delivered to all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. Days later, the FDA authorized another coronavirus vaccine by Moderna. While the distribution of the vaccine was slower than projected, as of Feb. 3rd, 27 million people in the US got the first dose and 6 million were fully vaccinated. Scientists caution that precautions like masks and social distancing should remain in effect until the pandemic ends.
As of February 9, 2021, there have been 27,101,604 confirmed cases in the U.S. There have also been 465,435 deaths caused by Covid 19, which is about the amount of people in the population of Atlanta, Georgia. The tragedy of lives lost can not be overstated, and many wonder what the "new normal" will look like in years to come.
In these activities, students will demonstrate their knowledge about the Covid 19 pandemic of today and have the opportunity to research other pandemics from the past.
How Tos about COVID 19 and the 1918 Pandemic
Engage students in meaningful discussions about pandemic safety
Begin with a warm welcome and explain the importance of discussing safety during pandemics. Let students know their questions and experiences matter.
Use relatable scenarios to introduce safety measures
Share simple, everyday examples like wearing masks at school or washing hands after recess. Help students connect these actions to their own lives.
Facilitate an interactive safety demonstration
Show proper mask usage and handwashing techniques. Invite students to practice with you to build confidence.
Encourage students to brainstorm ways to stay safe
Ask students for ideas on keeping themselves, classmates, and families healthy. Record their suggestions on the board and discuss why each is important.
Wrap up with a creative safety pledge
Create a class pledge where students commit to following safety measures. Let them decorate the pledge and display it in the classroom!
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID 19 and the 1918 Pandemic
What are some quick and easy lesson ideas for teaching students about the COVID-19 pandemic?
Quick lesson ideas include creating timelines of COVID-19 events, comparing COVID-19 to past pandemics, discussing safety measures, and analyzing government responses. Activities can be adapted for remote or in-person learning to help students understand the impact and prevention of COVID-19.
How can teachers explain the spread of viruses like COVID-19 to K-12 students?
Teachers can use visual aids, simple experiments, and relatable examples to show how viruses spread through contact, droplets, and surfaces. Emphasize the importance of hygiene, masks, and social distancing to help students grasp transmission concepts.
What are effective ways to discuss pandemic safety measures with students?
Use interactive activities like role-playing, posters, and group discussions to teach safety measures such as handwashing, mask wearing, and social distancing. Encourage students to share ideas and ask questions to increase understanding and compliance.
Why is it important to compare COVID-19 with past pandemics in classroom lessons?
Comparing COVID-19 to historical pandemics helps students recognize patterns in disease spread, responses, and impacts. This context fosters critical thinking and allows students to learn valuable lessons about prevention, science, and resilience.
How have schools and students been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to remote learning, changes in classroom routines, and emotional challenges for students and families. Many have faced illness, job disruptions, and social isolation, making support and understanding in schools essential.
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