What the Bungled Response to HIV Can Teach Us about Coping with Epidemics | Retro Report

What lessons should we learn from the HIV/AIDS epidemic that could help us fight other epidemics? During the first half of the 20th century, the U.S. built impressive infrastructure to contain the spread of infectious diseases. However, the availability of vaccines encouraged a belief that infectious diseases were a thing of the past and, during the second half of the 20th century, much of the U.S.’ disease prevention infrastructure crumbled. This left the country unprepared to contain HIV/AIDS, and later, Covid-19. Students can explore this issue with the help of a student activity and an argument essay.