Pandemics cannot be eliminated, but they can be stopped; the trick is discovering what will curtail any one particular outbreak. Renowned environmentalist and science writer Albert Bates presents an easy-to-understand scientific overview of the global consequences of pandemics and offers a fresh perspective on how we can coexist with them, individually and collectively. Bates recounts the history of deadly pandemics and provides a basic explanation for why diseases can infect and spread quickly, as well as how viruses invade the body and travel from host to host, further illustrating why we are all at risk. He also reminds us that disrupting natural ecosystems increases the chances of letting loose even more viruses into global populations. Discover which methods have been used to battle infectious outbreaks in the past, which social solutions are the most effective, and how to bolster our resources before the next pandemic strikes.

The Black Death. Cholera. Spanish flu. Swine flu. HIV/AIDS. COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Each of these pandemics has made (or, is making) a lasting impact on humanity. From the immediate mental image of the beaked masks worn in the Middle Ages (bubonic plague) and the birth of epidemiology (cholera) to recognizing the benefits of social distancing (1918 flu) and the harm of prejudice and misinformation (HIV/AIDS), pandemics have shown us how to survive infectious disease, as long as we heed their lessons. Preparing for Pandemics in the Modern World, edited by Christine Crudo Blackburn, brings together experts on pandemic preparedness and biosecurity to explore areas of weakness in pandemic prevention, preparedness, detection, and response. Even as COVID-19 makes its way around the world, leaders and policymakers are tasked with thinking ahead and preparing to effectively respond to the next such event—which experience shows us to be a matter of “when,” not “if.” Inside, chapters are divided into sections on the lessons learned from the 1918 influenza pandemic, the application of the One Health concept, and the role of the private sector in responding to potentially devastating disease outbreaks. A chapter on the impacts of supply chain disruption—in light of COVID-19—and an epilogue that discusses the current outbreak make Preparing for Pandemics in the Modern World a timely and accessibly written compilation on pandemic prevention, preparedness, detection, and response.

Epidemics and the Modern World uses biographies of epidemics such as plague, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS to explore the impact of diseases on society from the fourteenth century to the twenty-first century.

The Black Death. Cholera. Spanish flu. Swine flu. HIV/AIDS. COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2. Each of these pandemics has made (or, is making) a lasting impact on humanity. From the immediate mental image of the beaked masks worn in the Middle Ages (bubonic plague) and the birth of epidemiology (cholera) to recognizing the benefits of social distancing (1918 flu) and the harm of prejudice and misinformation (HIV/AIDS), pandemics have shown us how to survive infectious disease, as long as we heed their lessons. Preparing for Pandemics in the Modern World, edited by Christine Crudo Blackburn, brings together experts on pandemic preparedness and biosecurity to explore areas of weakness in pandemic prevention, preparedness, detection, and response. Even as COVID-19 makes its way around the world, leaders and policymakers are tasked with thinking ahead and preparing to effectively respond to the next such event--which experience shows us to be a matter of "when," not "if." Inside, chapters are divided into sections on the lessons learned from the 1918 influenza pandemic, the application of the One Health concept, and the role of the private sector in responding to potentially devastating disease outbreaks. A chapter on the impacts of supply chain disruption--in light of COVID-19--and an epilogue that discusses the current outbreak make Preparing for Pandemics in the Modern World a timely and accessibly written compilation on pandemic prevention, preparedness, detection, and response.

In the annals of human history, there exist CHAPTERs that chronicle moments of triumph, perseverance, and adaptability. Yet, interwoven into this tapestry of human achievement are the narratives of a relentless adversary – epidemics. These invisible forces have shaped our societies, challenged our resilience, and propelled us to redefine the boundaries of science, healthcare, and human compassion. Epidemics, often sudden and unrelenting, have sent shockwaves through civilizations, reshaping the contours of daily life and leaving lasting imprints on the world. The CHAPTERs that follow in this book serve as a voyage through the pages of history, where epidemics have played central roles in shaping the destiny of nations and individuals. We embark on this journey not merely as passive observers of the past, but as active participants in the ongoing narrative of public health and scientific progress. Our exploration delves into the depths of epidemics, unveiling their historical antecedents, dissecting their far-reaching impacts, and offering insights into the challenges and triumphs that have marked our responses to these relentless foes. Throughout these pages, you will encounter stories of courage, innovation, and collaboration. The narratives of epidemics are not solely tales of suffering and loss, but also narratives of resilience and the indomitable human spirit. They reveal the extraordinary capacity of individuals and societies to unite, adapt, and prevail in the face of adversity. As we navigate the uncharted waters of the past, we cast our gaze towards the horizon of the future. The lessons learned from our historical struggles with epidemics serve as guiding stars, illuminating the path to a more prepared, equitable, and resilient world. In a time where the world faces new challenges, these lessons are more pertinent than ever. This book is an invitation to traverse the realms of epidemics, to understand their past and present, and to contemplate their role in shaping our shared destiny. It is a testament to the enduring human spirit, the boundless frontiers of science, and the unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of our global community. As you turn the pages of this book, may you embark on a journey not only through time but also towards a future where the lessons of epidemics guide us towards a healthier, more compassionate world.

We live in a world full of invisible enemies and normally we don’t even realize they’re there. But from time to time one of these microscopic creatures becomes powerful enough to turn everything upside down. We are witnessing now the rise of the coronaviruses, which are causing the worst global health crisis in decades, and we are wondering why we didn’t see this coming. But we did. Experts have been warning us for years about microbes, one of the most terrifying challenges we face as a species. Especially because nowadays, an outbreak of an infectious disease that starts in one corner of the planet can quickly become global thanks to our modern lifestyle. There have been many pandemics over the history of humanity, and Covid-19 is unlikely to be the last. What can we do to prepare ourselves better? The first thing is to understand what we are dealing with. Salvador Macip is a specialist in the biology of infectious diseases and here he explains, in a language everyone can understand, what it means to share the planet with millions of microbes, some wonderful allies, others terrible foes. He provides a concise account of the epidemics that changed history and then focuses on the great modern plagues that are still causing millions of deaths every year, including influenza, TB, AIDS and malaria. The coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19, are situated in the context of the many microorganisms that cause infectious diseases and epidemics. Macip also examines the methods we have used – from vaccines and drugs to improved sanitation and other practices like social distancing – to try to control these invisible enemies. This authoritative overview of modern epidemics and the pathogens that cause them will be essential reading for everyone who wants to understand the world in which we live today, a world in which some of the greatest threats to the human species come from the invisible microbes with which we share this planet.

"An essential volume." -E. J. Dionne, Jr. * "A damning portrait" -Publishers Weekly With an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winner Timothy Egan, the riveting, eye-opening first-draft history of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unprepared is the sweeping history of the Covid-19 pandemic-a raw, primary-source accounting of the epoch-defining event: a virus that first appeared in China in late 2019 and spread rapidly across the globe, killing hundreds of thousands, devastating economies, and changing the modern world forever. A day-by-day chronicle of the response to Covid-19 as it attacked, Unprepared gathers a range of public statements from President Trump and his administration, elected officials such as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, leading journalists and scientists, and organizations from National Nurses United to the United Food and Commercial Workers union. A haunting portrait of the world scrambling for answers while the number of cases rose alongside the death toll, the book reveals not only our strengths as a people, but also the fault lines and dysfunction that plague our nation in the new millennium. Unprepared is an illuminating artifact for today and for future generations, an astonishing document of history being made, and a multifaceted narrative that drops the reader directly into the real-time experience of confusion, drama, and fear that defines the outbreak of Covid-19.