Explore topics relating to the novel virus SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. You have many options to choose from
– researching the possible origins, transmission, and evolution of the virus, as well as the epidemiology of
COVID-19 including symptoms, treatment, testing, racial disparities, and global consequences. You can
discuss how information about the virus and disease has been disseminated to the public, and the importance
of evidence-based practices in public health. You can write a straightforward research paper or be creative and
write it in the role of someone from the community (media, politician, professor, community leader etc.) You
need to provide at least 3 references in MLA format (see document on iLearn with guidelines for formatting).
Please come up with a very unique and catchy title for your paper too that best describes your topic (the best
titles get extra credit points). See below for ideas about discussion topics. The paper should be a minimum of 3
pages but can be longer if you find more information that you want to include in the paper. Points will be
deducted for short papers and for missing references and references not in the proper format so please be
with your super catchy title as the forum post title. You also need to write what was the most interesting thing
you learned from doing your research paper in the forum post along with your pdf paper attached. Following
these instructions is necessary for getting all 30 points. There are many suggested questions within your main
topic. You can choose which ones interest you the most, or come up with new questions within your topic to
explore. Specific examples and statistics are also important to convey information. If you want to include
graphs, tables or other info-graphics they should not count towards the 3 page minimum written report. Please
use Cambria, Calibri or Times 12pt font, double spaced, regular margins (.8” or less) and don’t forget the
catchy title on the 1st line (no title page is needed). You will be reviewing a classmate’s paper for the peer
review so keep in mind that other students might be reading your paper and you want it as interesting, well
written and typo-free as possible – please edit carefully before submitting.
Please do not use inappropriate language in the papers either – it should be professional. (That should go
without saying – you should not be using inappropriate language in class or the chat
box either.)
Pandemic 2020 Suggested Discussion Topics: Remember you can pick one of the following 6 topics to write
your paper about, but these are just suggestions – you can come up with your own topic about the pandemic/
virus that are not covered here too if you want. And if you use one of these topics you don’t have to answer all
of the questions provided within each topic either, pick the ones you want to discuss and go from there.
• Virus Background information: this could include structure, possible origination, classification, and
transmission. Where and how did this virus emerge and how has it mutated and replicated? What is the
structure of this virus such as whether it is an RNA or DNA virus and how many nucleotides is it composed of?
How many proteins does it code for? How does it attach to a host cell?What are the different viruses within the
Corona-Viruses family that are able to infect humans? How can we avoid similar novel virus transmissions, and
how did it spread so quickly throughout the world?
• Exploring the health effects of Covid-19: What are some of the viral affects and host immune system
responses that are causing the varying symptoms of Covid-19? Is this infection
primarily a respiratory or cardiovascular disease? What are some pre-existing health risks or lifestyle choices
that lead to more severe outcomes? Do different blood types pose different threats of COVID-19 progression?
If so why? Tie some of these topics into the theory of Natural Selection – are some people better adapted to
survive this pathogen? Have bats and other coronavirus hosts evolved to survive this virus? What is the Red
Queen Hypothesis and how
does it relate to pathogen evolution and resistance?
• Community connections: What information was disseminated to the community during the start of the
pandemic? Were there disparities in recommendations, community compliance, and opinions? If so, were
these disparities based on geography, education, race, political preferences, or other factors? How well did our
country responded to the spread of the virus in general compared to other top infected nations? If you were to
give out recommendations to the country to stop the spread of the virus and disease what would your main
messages be?
• Racial disparities: Are there disparities in the spread, testing, treatment, and death rates from SARS-CoV-2
by race? If so, how? How did the Black Lives Matter Protests in June 2020 affect the spread of the virus and
COVID-19 cases? Did the police reaction to protestors in some cases (tear gas, incarceration, violence) affect
the pandemic? How has our country responded to the increased cases of COVID-19 in the jails and prisons?
How are refugees and immigrants detained in ICE and other detention facilities being treated and tested? What
legislation would you propose to improve relations, conditions and equality in America? What are city, state and
federal politicians doing in regards to racial disparities, white supremacy and police brutality in
our country?