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What Lessons to be Learned from Two Pandemics?

With COVID-19 circulating in Michigan for about a year, IPPSR's State of the State podcast looks back to the influenza pandemic of 1918 with this month's guest, Siddharth Chandra, professor in MSU’s James Madison College,. He reflects on the current pandemic coronavirus and its parallels to his decade of research into a fatal flu infection that felled some 15,000 Michigan residents.

Podcasters agree the pandemic flu's lessons of the past should infuse Michigan's present, even at a time as the coronavirus of 2020 is itself being tested by vaccines. Federal stimulus may boost the state's economic fortunes, predicts MSU Economist Charles Ballard. IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann notes that large institutions -- government, corporation, drug companies and major universities -- have brought substantial research to bear in the fight against the infectious COVID-19. Associate IPPSR Director Arnold Weinfeld foresees the potential for a "social explosion" as the vaccines open homebound doors to summer recreation and travel.

Hear the podcast on WKAR here and here.

We want to always say that this production is featured on WKAR Radio along with radio stations on the air and over the internet, on SoundCloud(link is external) and ITunes. On the MSU campus, IPPSR specializes in policy education, leadership training and survey research in MSU's College of Social Science. You'll also find this edition of the State of the State Podcast on MSU Today with Russ White.(link is external)

We are the home of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, the Office for Survey Research, State of the State Survey, Legislative Leadership Program, Rosenthal Legislative Internship Program, more than 60 affiliate faculty members, student policy fellows and major research databases on topics of interest to academic researchers, legislators, policy makers, elected leaders and journalists around the world. IPPSR thanks MSU's University Communications, MSU Director of Public Relations Jennifer Davis, Producer Russ White of MSU Advancement Marketing and Communications, and all those who support the efforts necessary to make this production possible.