Episode 028: The Positive and Negative Results of Social Distancing (Anonymous Student Reflection)

Summary: Nothing in life is risk-free. This episode is part of a series of episodes where Dr. Brown's college students were asked to reflect on the positive and negative effect of social distancing policies related to today's COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. No politics, no spin, no editing... just authentic scientific reflection and education at work... oh yeah, and some Genetics too! Listen to see what my student has to say! Below is the prompt my students were given in constructing their responses: Based on what you learned during our Genetics course and using your prior knowledge, please answer all the below questions: - In your opinion, what are the three most positive consequences of social distancing? (These may be things you learned during our course or these may be novel ideas that spring from your own mind.) - In your opinion, what are the three most negative consequences of social distancing? (These may be things you learned during our course or these may be novel ideas that spring from your own mind.) - In what possible manner(s) may social distancing policies effect the evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which causes the disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? You may explore one manner or many possible manners. Please be very specific in your analysis, thorough, and use scientific terms. You will NOT be graded on what you say, but rather on the scientific plausibility of what you say. - Why is having a basic understanding of genetics and evolution important for you during this COVID-19 (coronavirus) time? Do you have a duty as a citizen of the world to have a such basic understandings? (These are open-ended question, so please answer them in a manner that resonates with you. Say what you really believe, not what you think your professor wants you to say. Be specific. Apply it to your life right now. Please don’t get political – just answer the questions as they apply to you.) - Nothing in life is risk free and very few things are “all or none.” Based on what you have learned in this course and activity, and considering the current situation (all aspects – infectivity rates, job losses/economics, mental heath issues, etc), what would your reopening policy look like if you were governor of Illinois? (If you are a resident of a different state, you may change this reflection to pertain to your state.) Be specific. Don’t get political or critique the governor’s current policies – just say what your reopening policies would look like. Say what you really believe, not what you think your professor wants you to say. Support what you say with evidence from the provided sources or other sources of your choosing. Notes: - Intro Music: freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rose…_For_Podcasts/ “Let’s Start at the Beginning” & “Glass Android” - Student Voice: Anonymous - Learn more about Dr. Brown at www.ericbrownphd.com/