LibGuides: Library Spotlight: Learning from past pandemics

Introduction

Thanks to modern medicine, the COVID-19 pandemic is many people's first experience with wide-spread infection. But, over the course of history, humanity has faced numerous plagues and epidemics. Each individual outbreak has helped us learn more about disease prevention and cure, leading us to be the most prepared we've ever been.

These titles are all available in the Lewis Library on the display shelf near the reference desk. Check them out!

Featured Books

The Pandemic Century by Mark Honigsbaum
Call Number: RA650.5 .H665 2019
From the Spanish flu to the 1924 outbreak of pneumonic plague in Los Angeles to the 1930 "parrot fever" pandemic, through the more recent SARS, Ebola, and Zika epidemics, the last one hundred years have been marked by a succession of unanticipated pandemic alarms. These pandemics remind us of the limits of scientific knowledge, as well as the role that human behavior and technologies play in the emergence and spread of microbial diseases.
Between Hope and Fear by Michael Kinch
Call Number: RA638 .K56 2018
You may have heard stories of cases of measles, mumps, rubella, and whooping cough cropping up everywhere from elementary schools to universities because a select group of parents refuse to vaccinate their children. While detailing the history of vaccine invention, Kinch shows that our victories against vaccine-preventable diseases are not permanent--and could easily be undone.
Get Well Soon by Jennifer Wright
Call Number: RA649 .W75 2017
Throughout time, humans have been terrified and fascinated by the diseases history and circumstance have dropped on them. Some of their responses to those outbreaks are almost too strange to believe in hindsight. This book depicts some of the worst plagues we've suffered as a species, as well as stories of the heroic figures who selflessly fought to ease the suffering of their fellow man.

Historical Pandemics

Pandemic 1918 by Catharine Arnold
Call Number: RC150.4 .A75 2018
A global account of the 1918-1919 flu pandemic.
The Fever Of 1721 by Stephen Coss
Call Number: RC183.1 .C67 2016
A story of the smallpox epidemic of 1721 in Boston and the subsequent introduction of both inoculation and the first independent newspaper in the colonies.

Spotlight on Heroes: Books on the Fighters and Researchers of Viruses and Diseases

Deadly Outbreaks by Alexandra M. Levitt
Call Number: RA643 .L43 2013
Despite advances in health care, infectious microbes continue to be a formidable adversary to scientists and doctors. Vaccines and antibiotics have not been able to conquer infectious microbes because of their amazing ability to evolve and spread to new places. Read about the scientific adventures of a special group of intrepid individuals who investigate these outbreaks around the world and figure out how to stop them.
The Fears of the Rich, The Needs of the Poor by William W. Foege
Call Number: RA424.5.F64 A3 2018
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has evolved from a malaria control program to an institution dedicated to improving health for all people across the world. This book shares stories about the eradication of smallpox and the discovery of Legionnaires' disease, Reye syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, and HIV/AIDS while highlighting the people who made possible public health's biggest successes.

Online Resources

SUNY COVID Tracker
A dashboard that provides data on COVID-19 testing and other vital information at each of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities.
Coronavirus Research Database
A free health and medical research database for openly available content related to COVID-19.

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