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Learning curves in the Sars outbreak

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Sars may be a frightening and serious threat to our community, but it is also a learning opportunity. The issues it raises embrace virtually all academic subjects. These are some teaching ideas.

Biology

Students can explore the differences between bacteria and viruses and find out what a coronavirus is. This leads to the question of how genetic mutations occur and to find other examples in history. How do researchers work towards a cure? When does a disease outbreak 'peak'? Are face masks effective and which ones work best? What experiments can you devise to answer this question?

Maths

Students can use all manner of graphs: comparing mortality rates of different diseases, comparing cases to deaths; districts in Hong Kong; age-patterns of victims; timelines of daily infections. Geography and history

Ask what an 'epidemic' is. Does Sars qualify? Look at famous epidemics in history. Explore the links between migration and disease. Plot cases day by day on a world map. How has Sars affected shopping, recreation and travel?

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