PIPRR

Epidemics

The history of epidemics and pandemics dates back hundreds of years. The ease of travel in the modern age, poor sanitation, mosquito infestations, and other causes are to blame for the spread of diseases that annually kill thousands of people around the world. Students at West Chester have dealt with quarantines, closures, and the tragic loss of classmates during such crises. The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected student life, but there are plenty of earlier examples to compare it with.

• How has the Covid-19 pandemic differed from previous outbreaks on campus? Were similar measures also taken during earlier events?
• What has been the duration of various epidemics on campus, or of pandemics in the world? What factors contribute to the length of these crises?
• How do students behave during an epidemic? What efforts has the school historically made to ensure students safety? How have these efforts been received?
• How have medical services evolved on campus over time?
• What do institutions like the World Health Organization, or the Center for Disease Control, do to control epidemics or pandemics?

• Covid-19 Collection (see Special Collections)
• The WCU Student Newspapers Collection
• The WCU Yearbooks Collection
• The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
• The Pennsylvania Department of Health
• The Chester County Health Department