The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History

On October 10, 2018, John M. Barry delivered the banner lecture, “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History”

A century ago—at the height of World War I—history’s most lethal influenza virus erupted in an army camp in Kansas, moved east with American troops, then exploded, killing as many as 100 million people worldwide. The disease claimed more lives in twenty-four weeks than AIDS has claimed in thirty-seven years, and more than the Black Death killed in a century. But this was not the Middle Ages, and 1918 marked the first collision between modern science and epidemic disease.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

John M. Barry is an award-winning and New York Times best-selling author whose book The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History was named the year’s outstanding book on science or medicine by The National Academies of Science’s in 2004.

After weaving together a dramatic story of triumph amid tragedy in the face of a global pandemic, Barry will join a panel of specialists from the VCU School of Medicine who will discuss the role they are playing today in the research, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases.

MODERATOR:

Peter Buckley, M.D. – Dean, VCU School of Medicine, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, VCU Health System

PANEL MEMBERS:

John M. Barry – Distinguished Scholar at Tulane's Bywater Institute and adjunct professor at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Gonzalo Martin Llorens Bearman, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., F.S.H.E.A., F.I.D.S.A. – Chair, Division of Infectious Diseases, VCU School of Medicine, Richard P. Wenzel Professor of Internal Medicine Hospital Epidemiologist, VCU Health System

Michael Donnenberg, M.D. – Senior Associate Dean for Research and Research Training, VCU School of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine and of Microbiology and Immunology

This program is made possible by a generous grant from the Virginia Sargeant Reynolds Foundation and is cosponsored with the MCV Foundation.

The content and opinions expressed in these presentations are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

[horizonq]

I read his book in Oct 2019. Just before Covid. His book enlightened me.

[edwardb]

This event took place before the Covid-19. He predicted the main problem would be truthful communication by politicians. He advised, “Tell the truth, don’t manage the truth. “. He even
cited by name a politician who wouldn’t follow public health advice if a novel pandemic arrived.

[asadfami]

How prescient was his message and wisdom.

[Ronbo]

Sad this has no comments until now. Good luck to all.

[texbluebell]

Watching this in 2021 and finding it to be a very prescient warning.

[SophyaAgain]

I come from 2021. It will happen again in two years time.

[H.O.P.E.]

I admire many Governors for doing public service updates. These have helped citizens to be more careful to protect themselves and others. Unfortunately, too many people ignore advisories. The second phase of Covid-19 is well underway. I hope people sanitize.

[nobodyknows]

It is amazing that in 2018 he exactly nailed it in his prediction of what Trump would do if faced with a virus pandemic - ignore all scientific findings and disregard any advice from health experts.

[raphaellavictoria]

42:26 the masks DID a lot of good, back then too. Sure, it won't work if people DON'T WEAR THEM. This is a respiratory virus, primed to be transmitted in a respiratory fashion. Now, back then they didn't have specialized masks, they had layers of gauze. 5 layers of gauze was good. Not 98% protection like the surgical masks of today but over 80%. Having the "hospital wards" out in the open air was very helpful too. Obviously, for the same reasons. And yes, San Francisco I believe even had a law that people without masks could be shot? something liek that

[StrongbyLee]

By God, I wonder if Barry contracted PTSD while researching for his book.

[w.t.fpipedreamwithhopefull]

Ghostbusters, Gate Keeper and keymaster. Only a matter of time before 2 bad Covid variants have a baby.

[mollyballard]

I wonder what they are thinking now with COVID?

[emmabovary]

Mr. Barry allowed his politics to speak for him. Did he attend the big birthday bash with all the other liber glitterati last night? Was he ready to say the same of Obama? I doubt it. He’s too busy being snarky about Trump. Righteous and smug till the end.