About - D-Lab COVID 19
Description: COVID 19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. A pandemic refers to a disease epidemic that spread over several countries or continents. An epidemic disease refers to an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a given population in a specific area.
In addition to the primary impact on human health, the sudden increase in COVID 19 cases in California has the potential to negatively impact the quality of life for many. When existing non-medical infrastructure (e.g., water and energy utilities and transportation) lack resiliency to withstand the intensity of a pandemic. The situation particularly critical for people from marginalized groups (e.g., race, gender, age, language, economic status etc.).
Acknowledging the critical role infrastructure systems have in intensifying or alleviating the vulnerability of communities to pandemics, this course will provide students with the opportunity to evaluate the capacity of water, energy and or transportation infrastructure to COVID-19 and propose potential innovations to tackle the pandemic with the goal of reducing the risk of negative health impacts.
Grading: Class participation and attendance (15%), Peer Evaluation (5%), Sector Paper (25%), Group Presentations (30%), Final Report (25%).
Picture credit: https://www.bendoregon.gov/services/covid-19-information
