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Singularity University
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Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world's structure, which is highly relevant to current events
Taught by Jamie Metzl, a technology and healthcare futurist and geopolitical expert, who is recognized for his work in the field
Examines the foundation of the world to come, which is highly relevant to individuals and organizations planning for the future
Taught by Singularity University, who are recognized for their work in exponential medicine

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for The Future of the Past: The Coronavirus Pandemic and the New Normal. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete The Future of the Past: The Coronavirus Pandemic and the New Normal will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans. They may also research ways to prevent and control health problems. This course would help build a foundation in understanding the causes and spread of pandemics, which could help epidemiologists in their work. The course could also provide insights into the potential long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could be useful for developing prevention and control strategies.
Public Health Administrator
Public health administrators plan, implement, and evaluate public health programs. They work to prevent and control disease, promote health, and protect the environment. This course would offer insights into the challenges and opportunities facing public health administrators in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective public health policies and programs.
Healthcare Policy Analyst
Healthcare policy analysts research, develop, and evaluate healthcare policies. They work to improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare. This course could help healthcare policy analysts understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system. It could also provide insights into how to develop and implement policies to address the challenges facing healthcare systems in the wake of the pandemic.
Medical Researcher
Medical researchers conduct research to improve the understanding, prevention, and treatment of diseases. This course would help build a foundation in understanding the causes and spread of pandemics, which could be useful for medical researchers in their work. The course could also provide insights into the potential long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could be useful for developing new treatments and prevention strategies.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians use statistical methods to analyze data related to health and medicine. They work to design studies, collect data, and interpret results. This course would help build a foundation in understanding the statistical methods used to study pandemics, which could be useful for biostatisticians in their work. The course could also provide insights into the potential long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could be useful for developing new statistical models to track and predict the spread of disease.
Health Communications Specialist
Health communications specialists develop and implement communication strategies to promote health and prevent disease. They work to educate the public about health issues, and to encourage healthy behaviors. This course could help health communications specialists understand the challenges and opportunities of communicating about pandemics. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective health communication campaigns.
Disaster Preparedness Manager
Disaster preparedness managers plan and coordinate disaster response efforts. They work to protect communities from the effects of natural disasters, human-made disasters, and pandemics. This course could help disaster preparedness managers understand the challenges and opportunities of preparing for and responding to pandemics. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective disaster preparedness plans.
Emergency Management Specialist
Emergency management specialists plan and coordinate emergency response efforts. They work to protect communities from the effects of natural disasters, human-made disasters, and pandemics. This course could help emergency management specialists understand the challenges and opportunities of preparing for and responding to pandemics. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective emergency management plans.
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare administrators plan, direct, and coordinate healthcare services. They work to ensure that healthcare organizations are efficient and effective. This course could help healthcare administrators understand the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare systems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective healthcare policies and programs.
Health Educator
Health educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. They work to educate the public about health issues, and to encourage healthy behaviors. This course could help health educators understand the challenges and opportunities of educating about pandemics. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective health education programs.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists dispense medications and provide advice on their use. They work to ensure that patients are taking their medications safely and effectively. This course could help pharmacists understand the challenges and opportunities of providing care to patients during a pandemic. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective medication management strategies.
Nurse
Nurses provide direct patient care. They work to assess patients' needs, develop and implement care plans, and provide support to patients and their families. This course could help nurses understand the challenges and opportunities of providing care to patients during a pandemic. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective patient care strategies.
Physician
Physicians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. They work to provide comprehensive care to patients of all ages. This course could help physicians understand the challenges and opportunities of providing care to patients during a pandemic. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective patient care strategies.
Social Worker
Social workers provide support and guidance to individuals, families, and communities. They work to address a variety of social problems, including poverty, mental illness, and addiction. This course could help social workers understand the challenges and opportunities of supporting individuals and families during a pandemic. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective social support programs.
Counselor
Counselors provide support and guidance to individuals and families. They work to address a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and grief. This course could help counselors understand the challenges and opportunities of supporting individuals and families during a pandemic. It could also provide guidance on how to develop and implement effective counseling strategies.

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
While not directly about COVID-19, this book provides essential historical context by detailing the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. Understanding the dynamics, societal impact, and scientific challenges of a previous major pandemic is crucial for gaining a broad understanding of how infectious diseases can spread and affect populations. It serves as valuable background reading for anyone studying pandemics. is widely regarded and often referenced in discussions about pandemic preparedness.
Is highly relevant to understanding the origins of COVID-19, which is believed to be a zoonotic disease that spilled over from animals to humans. Quammen explores the science of how animal pathogens jump to human populations, providing crucial background knowledge for comprehending the emergence of novel infectious diseases. It is an important read for anyone interested in the ecological and biological factors driving pandemics. The book is well-researched and considered a key text in understanding zoonoses.
Offers a sweeping historical perspective on how infectious outbreaks have shaped human society, medicine, and public health. It provides a deep understanding of the recurring nature of epidemics throughout history and the long-term consequences they have on societies. This is valuable for contextualizing the COVID-19 pandemic within a broader historical narrative. It scholarly work often used in academic settings to provide foundational knowledge on the social history of disease.
Delves into the mathematical and scientific principles behind how outbreaks spread, not just biologically but also in terms of information and behavior. It provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors that influence its trajectory. This is particularly useful for students interested in the quantitative aspects of infectious disease transmission and public health interventions. It is considered a valuable resource for understanding the science of contagion.
Written by a sociologist and physician, this book examines the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on society, covering not only the biological aspects but also the social, psychological, and economic consequences. It provides a broad understanding of how the pandemic has affected various aspects of human life. is relevant for students across disciplines seeking to understand the wider implications of the pandemic.
Offers a critical look at the public health response to COVID-19 in the United States, highlighting systemic failures and political challenges. It provides valuable insights into the complexities of managing a pandemic at a national level and the factors that can hinder an effective response. This book is particularly relevant for those interested in public health policy and administration. It offers a contemporary perspective on the handling of the pandemic.
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Investigates the controversial topic of the origins of SARS-CoV-2, exploring both natural spillover and laboratory leak hypotheses. It dives into contemporary scientific and political debates surrounding the pandemic's beginning, offering a deeper understanding of this ongoing discussion. This book is valuable for advanced students and professionals interested in the scientific investigation and the challenges of determining the source of a novel virus. It presents a detailed analysis of the available evidence.
Michael Lewis chronicles the efforts of a group of scientists and public health officials who foresaw the potential for a pandemic and tried to prepare for it. provides a compelling narrative about the challenges of bureaucratic inertia and the importance of listening to scientific expertise during a health crisis. It offers a contemporary account of the early days of the COVID-19 response in the US. It valuable case study for understanding the human and systemic factors in pandemic preparedness and response.
Bill Gates outlines his vision for preventing future pandemics, drawing lessons from COVID-19 and his work in global health. offers a forward-looking perspective on global health security and the necessary investments and strategies to mitigate future threats. It is relevant for anyone interested in the future of public health and global cooperation. The book provides a high-level overview of potential solutions and is accessible to a broad audience.
This book, published shortly before the COVID-19 outbreak, explores the psychological impact of pandemics on individuals and societies. It provides valuable insights into the behavioral responses, anxieties, and social dynamics that emerge during a public health crisis. Understanding these psychological factors is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic. It useful resource for students in psychology, sociology, and public health.
Focuses on how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing health inequalities based on factors like socioeconomic status, race, and geography. It provides a critical analysis of the disproportionate impact of the virus on vulnerable populations. This is essential reading for those interested in the social determinants of health and health equity in the context of a pandemic. It offers a contemporary perspective on a crucial aspect of the COVID-19 crisis.
This report provides a global overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted higher education institutions, covering areas like remote learning, student well-being, and financial challenges. It valuable resource for understanding the significant disruption the pandemic caused in the educational landscape. This report is particularly relevant for educators, policymakers, and researchers interested in the effects of COVID-19 on higher education.
Lawrence Wright investigates the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on extensive interviews to create a detailed narrative of the events. The book examines the scientific, political, and social dimensions of the crisis in America. It offers a comprehensive contemporary account of the pandemic's unfolding in a specific national context. valuable resource for understanding the complexities of a pandemic response in a large and diverse country.
Following up on 'Spillover,' Quammen focuses specifically on SARS-CoV-2, detailing the scientific effort to understand and combat the virus. dives into the cutting-edge research on the virus, its transmission, and the development of vaccines and treatments. It valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of the scientific challenges and breakthroughs during the pandemic. It offers a contemporary look at the scientific response.
Written by a vaccine expert, this book provides an inside look at the unprecedented effort to develop COVID-19 vaccines at remarkable speed. It explains the science behind the vaccines and the logistical and regulatory hurdles involved. is essential for understanding a key contemporary topic of the pandemic – the vaccine development and rollout. It valuable resource for students interested in vaccinology and public health interventions.
The editor-in-chief of The Lancet offers a critical analysis of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that many failures were avoidable. provides a contemporary and expert perspective on the systemic issues that contributed to the catastrophe. It is valuable for advanced students and professionals interested in global health governance and pandemic preparedness at an international level.
Applies the 'One Health' approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, to the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the origins and spread of the virus through this integrated lens, offering insights into preventing future outbreaks. This valuable resource for understanding the complex ecological and political factors influencing pandemics. It is relevant for students in public health, veterinary medicine, and environmental studies.
Similar to 'The Great Influenza,' this book provides a comprehensive account of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, focusing on its global impact and the societal changes it wrought. It offers a crucial historical parallel to COVID-19, helping to understand the potential long-term consequences of a widespread infectious disease. is valuable for historical context and understanding the broader societal implications of pandemics.
This classic work of fiction, while not about a real pandemic, offers a powerful allegory for the human experience of living through an epidemic. It explores themes of isolation, fear, resilience, and the nature of humanity in the face of a deadly disease. While not a scientific or historical text, it provides valuable insight into the psychological and existential impact of a health crisis. It classic literary work often read for its philosophical depth in times of widespread illness.
Published well before COVID-19, this book was a prescient warning about the increasing threat of emerging infectious diseases due to factors like globalization and environmental changes. It provides essential background on the forces driving the emergence of new pathogens and the challenges of global health security. is highly relevant for understanding the context in which COVID-19 emerged. It is considered a foundational text in the field of emerging infectious diseases.

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