COVID-19
A History
Format:Hardback
Publisher:McGill-Queen's University Press
Published:15th Oct '22
Should be back in stock very soon
This book explores the global history of COVID-19, focusing on its impact in Canada and the various responses to the pandemic.
In COVID-19, Jacalyn Duffin provides a comprehensive overview of the virus's impact on a global scale, particularly emphasizing its effects in Canada. The narrative begins with the alarming emergence of the virus, tracing its identification by scientists in China and the subsequent outbreaks that occurred on cruise ships. Duffin meticulously examines the virus's relentless spread across continents, including Europe, the Americas, and Africa, while detailing the immediate responses to confront this unprecedented crisis.
The book delves into the scientific history of infections, with a particular focus on coronaviruses. It highlights the development of crucial medical interventions, including tests, treatments, and vaccines, while also exploring the political landscape that shaped responses to the pandemic. Duffin discusses the practicalities of quarantines, barrier technologies, and lockdowns, as well as the social and financial supports that were implemented to aid communities in distress.
In the concluding chapters of COVID-19, Duffin reflects on the outcomes of various waves of infection, assessing the human toll and the effectiveness of control measures. The narrative also touches upon grassroots opposition to government regulations and the ongoing quest to understand the virus's origins. Ultimately, Duffin highlights the phenomenon of an “infodemic” and offers a cautionary perspective on the future, urging readers to consider the lessons learned from this global health crisis.
“As a physician, historian, and now volunteer contact-tracer, Duffin provides a unique perspective on the history of COVID-19. This well-written and engaging book is the most detailed historical overview to date on the first waves of the pandemic in Canada and around the world.” Catherine Carstairs, University of Guelph and author of The Smile Gap: A History of Oral Health and Social Inequality
“Although there is a COVID book on almost every topic, Jacalyn’s Duffin’s history instantly stands out. She has written a global history that is both measured and sophisticated. Although there will be other histories of the pandemic, I am confident that Duffin’s analysis will occupy an important place in the historiography of COVID-19 for years to come.” The American Review of Canada Studies
“With verve and skill, Duffin tells a compelling story that is familiar in its big picture and new in its fine details. In the hands of most any other scholar, a short history of COVID-19 would be a blur, but in the hands of this leading medical historian, it’s a tour-de-force of smart analysis and clear writing. Among Duffin’s many strengths are her ability to draw on ancient, medieval, early modern, and modern history to deepen our understanding of the present, as well as her ability to weave different themes in and out of her text. Two stand out: scapegoating and the social determinants of health.” Literary Review of Canada
"Covering the period from December 2019 through May 2022, the text is detailed and comprehensive, providing useful background on the histories of germs, viruses, and ecology. The exploration of testing, vaccines, treatments, and their long-term effects from the perspective of a physician-historian is especially informative.” Choice
ISBN: 9780228014119
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
232 pages