Reference no: EM133448011

Assignment:

You have had a chance this term to watch two films on scientists monitoring volcanoes (In The Path of a Killer Volcano, and Supervolcano) to try to determine if and/or when they might erupt. As you have seen, the goal here is the public good: this effort enables public officials to establish guidelines for hazard zones and evacuation schedules, and contributes to saving lives and property and generally mitigating the effects of these natural events.

You have also had a front row seat over the last two years (going on three!) for the worst global pandemic in over a century. You have been able to observe a variety of interactions between public health officials and the public.

Compare and contrast what you now know about scientists engaged in volcanic monitoring, and their interactions with public officials and political figures, with what you now know about scientists responding to a global health crisis, and their interactions with public officials and political figures. Address what you saw in the two films, as it compares with what you have witnessed either in person, or on the news, or at the University, regarding the Covid Pandemic.

Try to focus on the role of science and scientists in these situations. What are the similarities and differences you have observed? What have you learned from the volcanology movies that might well apply to our current public health crisis?