Goal

This course will introduce the learner to the basics of viruses, and how pandemics are evaluated and managed.

Lectures employ Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine faculty, Geisinger clinicians and Geisinger researchers. View our news release for more background information.

Notes

The lectures were originally recorded between October and December 2020.

All content is felt to remain relevant.

Since these lectures were recorded, vaccines have been introduced and a significant second surge has occurred.

Why consider watching these lectures?

• Would you like to learn about viruses?
• Would you like to understand how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted?
• Do you understand the various numbers that are reported?
• What are the roles of public health and health systems in controlling a pandemic?
• Want to understand the difficult decisions clinical providers may face in a pandemic?
• What are the research priorities during a pandemic?

This course provides the basics to help you understand COVID-19 and to help you make informed decisions.

Lectures

The course consists of 10 lectures. Each lecture is approximately one hour long. The lectures are linked here and embedded on this page below for your convenience.

Introduction

1. Lecture 1: Introduction to Virology and SARS-CoV-2
2. Lecture 2: Testing, Antiviral Chemotherapies, Vaccine Design
3. Lecture 3: Basics of Infectious Disease Transmission Dynamics
4. Lecture 4: Mathematical Modeling of Droplet Transmission - SARS-CoV-2
5. Lecture 5: Mitigation Via Quarantine and Other Strategies
6. Lecture 6: Role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), State, Local and Tribal Authorities
7. Lecture 7: Clinical Manifestations and Management of SARS-CoV-2
8. Lecture 8: Healthcare System in a Pandemic
9. Lecture 9: Ethical Issues in a Pandemic
10. Lecture 10: Research During a Pandemic