Essay Questions

What causes many epidemics, according to Garrett?

In The Coming Plague, Garrett analyses the many factors that can cause epidemics. One of these factors is the actions of humans, which can often directly lead to epidemics, or else impact nature in a way that leads to the development or acceleration of an infectious disease. To illustrate her point, Garrett alludes to the Hemorrhagic Fever outbreak in Bolivia, which was transmitted by mice. This outbreak was caused by increased infrastructure in the area, which in turn led to a higher population of mice and allowed the disease to develop.

Why is this text significant in 2020?

After the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, people are generally more interested in the nature of epidemics, so that we might prevent future occurrences if possible. As such, this text is significant as it offers a number of possible ways that humanity might prevent future outbreaks. Garrett argues that epidemics are often caused by human disruption of nature and various ecosystems, meaning we must be more careful about our treatment of the environment, in line with recent attention to the issue of global warming.

What can people do to prevent future epidemics, according to Garrett?

In this text, Garett offers some ways humanity can prevent future outbreaks. She suggests that epidemics should be a priority for governments around the world, and there should be a clear system to detect possible epidemics and warn the rest of the world. She also suggests that public health should be viewed in the light of ecology and that we should consider how our treatment of the environment might lead to epidemics.