Pandemics of the Past -- A Reflection -- Meri OBARA

 For me, what was the most surprising was that the Spanish flu outbreak didn’t actually start in Spain. I had already heard of the Spanish flu before, but I hadn’t known that nobody knew where it originated, and that there wasn’t a strong connection between Spain and the Spanish flu. In terms of the most terrifying factor, I suppose that a lack of knowledge about diseases made the pandemic challenging. This is because people needed to deal with an unknown disease with little knowledge. 

 From the clips we watched, I learned that it is important to unify, not to divide. During the world wars, the Spanish flu broke out and spread. I assume that this situation made the pandemic more severe and longer in duration. In order to prepare for future pandemics, countries should collaborate with each other before it’s too late. When people face a new epidemic, collaboration can lead to faster and more effective solutions.

 In my opinion, the Covid19 pandemic changed the world into a place where people can make connections and access resources more easily. Through the pandemic, people were forced to communicate online. However, this situation made them realize that they are able to do many things online, not just in person or face to face. Covid19 gave people a new way to connect with others. In the post-Covid19 era, people don’t need to visit specific places. For example, when people want to participate in a conference held in another country, they can join online from anywhere. So, I believe that serious pandemics have promoted people to gain more chances and opportunities.