Part I: Reflections on a pandemic

Jeff Taubenberger and John Oxford have spent their careers studying the 1918 flu pandemic. In this conversation, our guests explain how lessons from the 20th century’s deadliest pandemic informed how public health officials responded to COVID-19. The two researchers deliver their verdict on the state pandemic preparedness, both ahead of COVID-19 and in its aftermath. Want to take an even deeper dive into this topic? Jeff and John recently delivered a lecture at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters entitled The hunt for the virus causing the 1918 influenza pandemic. The two researchers were in Oslo as guests of OsloMet professor Svenn-Erik Mamelund. Listeners will hear from Svenn-Erik and his colleague Lisa in the next episode of the podcast.