IN PERSON: From tuberculosis and plague to COVID-19, Ebola, and drug-resistant “superbugs,” infectious diseases have shaped human history and continue to challenge modern medicine. This course explores some of history’s most feared infections while examining what they mean for us today. Participants will learn how infectious diseases spread, how the immune system responds, why some people are more vulnerable than others, and what modern medicine can—and cannot—do to prevent and treat disease. We will discuss vaccines, other preventive measures, and practical steps individuals can take to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Along the way, we will examine the role of infectious diseases in history, culture, literature, and public life, from tuberculosis in opera and fiction to plague narratives, pandemic fatigue, and contemporary public health debates. Participants can expect engaging lectures and discussions. No scientific background is required. | Lecture + Q&A, Facilitated discussion.
Max enrollment: 25.
Location: Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W. Cornwallis Rd, Durham NC 27705
