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In our first section, we kick off our study of ancient disease by analyzing some texts that are a little closer to home: our own social media posts. Does our content address Covid-19 directly, or can we identify more subtle "digital breadcrumbs" that provide glimpses into the pandemic's effects on our lives? How can the insights generated by study of our own media inform our analysis of historical pandemics, and how might our writings be used by future scholars of Covid-19?

Preparation

For this week’s section, please identify at least 3 examples of Covid-related social media that you would be willing to discuss in a group. Different types of media are encouraged (for instance, from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) You could also choose posts that cover a range of time points, including the early stages of the pandemic. You are encouraged to use your own social media, but if you prefer you can choose anonymized posts from someone else’s accounts. Please paste links, text, or screen shots of your three posts into the following google doc below your name before the start of section.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wbvYu4K7pAf5okT6dNsy9t_c7hpJXHmS-SLp4lECuKo/edit?usp=sharing

Zoom Links:

L001: Th, 10:45 - 11:45 am (https://harvard.zoom.us/j/92065321600?pwd=VDhJQ05xWmp2aWNVcnhyVGZxZ29vQT09)

L002: Th, 4:30- 5:30 pm ( https://harvard.zoom.us/j/94845000119?pwd=WXoyaHMwbTRmK203ZVhYVkp2aFFMZz09 (Links to an external site.))

Lab Handout

https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/1qdeXptbG5mrK9fymFwN9LnkLJh9UPolZ3SFt6Etqpno/copy

Required Readings and Media:

Scientific American: Social Media Posts and Online Searches Hold Vital Clues about Pandemic Spread

The Scientist: Can Social Media Inform Public Health Efforts?

Science 2020: Researchers are tracking another pandemic, too—of coronavirus misinformation