1. Deadline deception : The first film examines the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, in which 400 black men in Alabama were deceptively experimented upon over the course of several decades. The second short film focuses on similar experiments conducted in Guatemala.400 words (1.5 – 2 pages double spaced)Today we consider the experiment a violation of Human Rights. Describe the ways in which subjects of the Tuskegee experiment were dehumanized and considered “less” than. Most people’s initial reaction to these experiments is to ask how it could have happened. What do you think? Could it happen again? What groups might be vulnerable to unethical research?
2. Influenza of 1918: In September of 1918, soldiers at an army base near Boston suddenly began to die. The cause of death was identified as influenza, but it was unlike any strain ever seen. As the killer virus spread across the country, hospitals overfilled, death carts roamed the streets and helpless city officials dug mass graves. It was the worst epidemic in American history, killing over 600,000 — until it disappeared as mysteriously as it had begun.400 words (2 pages double spaced)Using events and situations in the film, compare and contrast the government, public health and population (the “people”) responses to Flu Pandemic of 1918 to the current COVID pandemic.
3. Triangle Fire :On March 25, 2011, fire spread through the cramped Triangle Waist Company garment factory on the 8th, 9th and 10th floors of the Asch Building in lower Manhattan. Workers in the factory, many of whom were young women recently arrived from Europe, had little time or opportunity to escape. The rapidly spreading fire killed 146 workers. The Triangle factory fire remained the deadliest workplace tragedy in New York City’s history until the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center 90 years later.In two paragraphs describe the following:Describe and discuss workplace safety as a Public Health concern.What do you think is important for others (not in this class) to know or learn about Triangle Factory Fire?
4. How to survive a pandemic film: Directed by acclaimed journalist and Academy Award-nominated filmmaker David France (Welcome to Chechnya), How to Survive a Pandemic takes an inside look at the historic, multi-national race to research, develop, regulate, and roll out COVID-19 vaccines in the war against the coronavirus pandemic. This documentary began filming in early 2020 as the largest public health effort in history got underway and followed those efforts over the next 18 months, exploring in real time the hard work and collaboration of health agencies worldwide, as well as the political and moral failures of governments to act impartially and equitably.400 words (2 pages double spaced)Based on what was presented in this film, what do you think is important to share with others about the public health efforts during the Covid Pandemic? Close with your thoughts on the public health response to the COVID epidemic in New York City and your personal experience with accessing testing, vaccination and if applicable, asymptomatic infection or care for symptomatic COVID.
