This video is comprised of images of pandemics through the ages and also highlights the board game ‘Pandemic’ that serves as a strategy tool and a way to understand how and why historical pandemics took place and how we can prevent them in the future.
The video begins with an animated graphic: “In this class you learn about pandemics” while a suspenseful music track fades in.
The screen transitions to a grid of nine pictures featuring different pandemics throughout history, the Pandemic board game, and scientific research. Pictures include a drawing of someone in a medieval plague mask, people wearing similar plague masks on the subway in 2020, and a black and white photo of people wearing cloth masks.
After a quick transition, the viewer gets a glimpse of the importance of religion and prayer (and also the flea) during the bubonic plague using medieval works of art.
The on-screen text reads: “From the deadly bubonic plague of the 14th century.”
Black and white drawings of plague doctors wearing beaked masks and painting of people carries bodies in shrouds scroll across the screen.
The video transitions to a new pandemic and the text reads: “to the 1918 Spanish flu.” There are two adjoining black and white photos shown. The first is three women standing together wearing homemade masks. The second is a historic government mandate sign that reads: “Spanish Influenza has endangered the prosecution of the war in Europe. There are 1500 cases in the Navy Yard and 30 deaths have already resulted – spitting spreads Spanish influenza – don’t spit.”
Next we see a black and white image of two masked nurses carrying a sick man on a stretcher.
The video transitions to the present as the on-screen text “to the COVID-19 pandemic” appears on the screen. A quiet day in Times Square, an empty subway station, Donald Trump removing his mask, and a person putting on their mask are used as visuals.
After a quick transition, another grid of photos appear that represent COVID-19. These include two masked women at chatting from opposite ends of a long park bench, a map of the world showing hot spots, a crowd in masks, and a microscopic image of the virus itself.
An animated map of the world (using different colors to represent the number of COVID-19 cases) appears and demonstrates the rapid spread of infections in different countries.
The video transitions to explain what a student can expect from the class and how they will better understand pandemics.
The on-screen text reads: “With the help of a board game.”
The ‘Pandemic’ board game is seen on screen. The box shows images of fictional front line workers and text that reads: “A game by Matt Leacock – Pandemic – A new challenge – Can you save humanity? – Z-Man games.” The board shows a world map with plastic pieces highlighting outbreaks. An animated plastic virus spins slowly and on-screen text reads: "In the game you develop strategies to stop contagion from spreading across the planet."
A close-up shot of a student selecting his cards off the board in the game appears while the on-screen text reads: “You will consider biology, culture, religion, economics, politics, and history.” Medieval artwork, a black and white early 20th century photo of a police at a riot and 2 photos from 2020 (a Black Lives Matter protestor wearing a mask and a deserted city block) demonstrate these themes.
The on-screen text reads: “How have societies responded to deadly pandemics?” Images of people in masks and protestors are meant to demonstrate culture and economy during pandemics.
A photo of a long line of masked people waiting in line to get tested in Asia demonstrates the massive impact of COVID-19 around the globe. The on-screen text reads: “Who lived and who died?” followed by a grid of pictures featuring a painting of a giant coronavirus rising over the horizon like the sun, a woman in a mask holding her child, a Spanish Flu-era ambulance and a drawing of a wealthy man in a top hat kissing the hand of the grim reaper emphasizing disparity.
After a quick transition, the on-screen text reads: “Who suffered the most, and why?” while more pictures including a masked protestor using a megaphone, long lines of cars waiting for COVID tests, a mural of John Lennon with a newly added mask and a drawing of coronaviruses raining down on people carrying umbrellas demonstrate how culture and economy impact lives during a pandemic.
The on-screen text reads: “And what can we do to prevent the next pandemic?” The screen shows the player cards from the game – the “Quarantine Specialist,” the “Medic,” the “Scientist,” and the “Researcher.”
The screen fades to white as the Brandeis logo appears on screen while the music fades out bringing the video to an end.