Seventh Grade Social Studies Week 4

This week you will evaluate how the actions of individuals impact others. Because of the current pandemic in the world we will evaluate the impact of others' actions through the lens of this health emergency. There are three parts to this week's lesson. Below is the list of learning you need to complete:

1. Part One: Analyzing Data
   • To familiarize yourself with the current scale and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic you will view and think about data presented through maps and statistics.
2. Part Two: Building Background
   • To build background knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic you will read an overview of what the coronavirus is and who is at risk. 
3. Part Three: Form Conclusions
   • Finally, you will review the actions of people around the world during this pandemic and form conclusions about how those actions impact others. 

Part I: Analyzing Data

Step 1: Analyze

Directions: Review the data and the maps below to determine the scale and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic. While reviewing the maps and data, think/write/talk about these questions (remember this part is just to get you thinking): 

1. 1. Which countries have the highest number of cases? Why do you think that is?
   2. Which countries have the lowest number of cases? Why do you think that is?
   3. Is the number of people infected increasing or decreasing? where and why? 
   4. Is the number of people dying from COVID-19 increasing or decreasing?

Global Coronavirus Data - Distribution	US Coronavirus Data - Distribution

Global Coronavirus Data - Cases per Capita	US Coronavirus Data - Cases per Capita

Global COVID - 19 Statistics	US COVID - 19 Statistics

Part II: Building Background

Step 1: Read

Directions: Read the overview about COVID-19 below. Your goal here is to be able to describe the risk factors associated with this illness. In step two below you will apply this knowledge to those around you. 

The CDC is responding to a pandemic Links to an external site. of respiratory disease spreading Links to an external site. from person to person caused by a novel (new) coronavirus Links to an external site.. The disease has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”). This situation poses a serious public health risk Links to an external site.. The federal government is working closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners as well as public health partners, to respond Links to an external site. to this situation. COVID-19 can cause mild to severe illness Links to an external site.; most severe illness occurs in adults 65 years and older and people of any age with serious underlying medical problems" (cdc.gov) Links to an external site..

The virus that causes COVID-19 is infecting people and spreading easily from person-to-person. On March 11, the COVID-19 outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the WHO Links to an external site..

COVID-19 Pandemic

A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide.

This is the first pandemic known to be caused by a new coronavirus. In the past century, there have been four pandemics caused by the emergence of new influenza viruses. As a result, most research and guidance around pandemics is specific to influenza, but the same premises can be applied to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemics of respiratory disease follow a certain progression outlined in a “Pandemic Intervals Framework Links to an external site..” Pandemics begin with an investigation phase, followed by recognition, initiation, and acceleration phases. The peak of illnesses occurs at the end of the acceleration phase, which is followed by a deceleration phase, during which there is a decrease in illnesses. Different countries can be in different phases of the pandemic at any point in time and different parts of the same country can also be in different phases of a pandemic.

Risk Assessment

The risk posed by COVID-19 depends on characteristics of the virus, including how easily it spreads between people; the severity of resulting illness; and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus (for example, vaccines or medications that can treat the illness) and the relative success of these. Because there are not yet vaccines or treatments for COVID-19, nonpharmaceutical interventions Links to an external site. become the most important response strategy. These are community interventions that can help reduce the impact of disease, like social distancing and good hand hygiene.

When considering the risk that COVID-19 poses to Americans, it’s helpful to break down this risk into two types: risk of exposure and risk of serious illness and death.

Risk of exposure

• Cases of COVID-19 and instances of community spread are being reported in all states.
• People in places where ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been reported are at elevated risk of exposure, with the level of their risk depending on their location.
• Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure.
• Close contacts of persons with COVID-19 also are at elevated risk of exposure.
• Travelers returning from affected international locations Links to an external site. where community spread is occurring also are at elevated risk of exposure, with their level of risk depending on where they traveled.

Risk of severe illness

Based on what we know now, persons at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are:

• People 65 years and older Links to an external site.
• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
• People of all ages with serious underlying medical conditions Links to an external site.

CDC has developed guidance to help individuals and healthcare providers assess the risk and manage illness Links to an external site. among people with potential community-related exposures to COVID-19.

Step 2: Assess

Directions: Use the information from the reading above to do a risk assessment of exposure and serious illness caused by COVID-19 for yourself and the people you love and care about.

1. What is your risk level for contracting COVID-19? 
2. What is the risk level of some of the people in your family and/or home?
3. What is the risk level of your friends and their families?
4. What is the risk for serious illness as a result of the COVID-19 virus for the groups listed above in 1-3. 

Part III: Form Conclusions

Step 1: Review

Directions: Our choices and actions, like ourselves, do not exist within a vacuum. Their impact can have far reaching consequences; some positive, some negative, with these consequences impacting the lives of others in profound and meaningful ways.

1. Watch the videos below.
   • Each video shows different ways humans are reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Decide how the actions of these people will impact the people around them and the world as a whole in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Step 2: Think

After watching the videos above, explain how people around the world are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and assess how their actions will impact the lives of others around the world. Create a graphic organizer like the one below on your own paper to help organize your thoughts.