What To Know About This Summer’s Major Surge in COVID Infections
Ask students: How many states have likely had rising COVID infections this summer? What are the likely reasons for the recent COVID spike?
Summary
As summer winds down, much of the U.S. is seeing the biggest COVID wave in at least two years, and hundreds of people are still being killed by the virus every week. According to a CDC analysis of hospitalizations, 25 states have or likely have rising numbers of COVID infections
View the transcript of the story.
Key Terms
mitigation — the act of reducing how harmful, unpleasant or bad something is
immunocompromised — at more risk from disease because of something, such as a health condition or medical treatment, that prevents the body's immune system from working as well as it should.
Warm-Up Questions
- How many states have likely had rising COVID infections this summer?
- What are the likely reasons for the recent COVID spike?
- Where should people continue to use protective measures like masking, according to the experts in this story?
- When will the new booster vaccine be available?
- How could a nasal vaccine for COVID be more effective?
Focus Questions
Dr. Eric Topol says the urgency around the recent rise in COVID cases is not very strong. Do you think people should be taking it more seriously? Explain why or why not.
Media literacy: Have you seen anything about the possible long-term effects of COVID-19 in the media?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
For More
What students can do: As a class, discuss — should schools take actions to reduce the spread of COVID in the classroom? What actions might help keep students healthy without disrupting learning?
Learn about how COVID surges affect people with disabilities using this Daily News Lesson.
This post was written by Gianfranco Beran, a senior at Amherst College, and an intern with PBS NewsHour Classroom, and edited by NewsHour's Luke Gerwe.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
Coronavirus Lesson Plans and Resources
Discover resources to help you understand what COVID-19 is, how it spreads and how to stay healthy.
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