Pandemic in a Book Day 8 of 28

Today's book is US Wars and Diseases by Lee R McDowell. The author and his wife are the original Mayflower descendants and US historians in a way. This book is an excellent overview of military activity for 13 major US wars, and the associated diseases that extracted their toll on people living in the US, although one may nitpick some details. This is available on Kindle Unlimited and other avenues. Enjoy your day and thank you for your support. 

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Apr 25, 5:39 am EST

Pandemic in a Book Day 7 of 19

Today's book is Pandemic by Robin Cook. What better way to relive pandemic PTSD by settling down with a medical - public health thriller? Set in ~2012 in Northeastern US, this novel is a fun read that somehow also makes you ponder the big questions we are facing in infectious diseases today. Enjoy your day and thank you for your support. 

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Apr 24, 7:34 am EST

Pandemic in a Book Day 6 of 19

Today's book is The Next Day by Melinda Gates. This is a brilliant book about transitions. The author offers a deep microanalysis of her own major life transitions within a macro construct for her learnings and reflections on what she figured worked for her. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, I have observed that several relationships hit the reset button personally and professionally. It turns out that Melinda is no exception. She initiated and navigated her separation and subsequent divorce during the pandemic even if the pandemic may not have had anything to do with it. The book is written very beautifully. Enjoy your day and thank you for your support. 

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Apr 23, 4:15 am EST

Pandemic in a Book Day 5 of 19

Today's book is The Iliad by Homer. Set in ~1190 BC in the ancient city of Troy, this classic has moving descriptions of the Achaean plague, and even more moving descriptions of the preventive measures of the day. The soldiers washed their hands in the sea, prayed to Apollo, and took other preventative measures like making peace with enemy camps. A brain treat for anyone interested in infectious diseases and more. Enjoy your day and thank you for your support. 

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Apr 22, 9:20 am EST

Pandemic in a Book Day 4 of 19:

Today's book is Bacteria and Antibiotics by Cara Florance and Jon Florance. Okay, there is no mention of pandemic in this book, but it does teach children fundamentals such as why we should clean our hands often, why antibiotics do not work for infections caused by viruses, and how bacteria develop drug resistance, and that there are good bacteria and disease-causing bad bacteria. A close friend gifted this book to my 2-year old son during the pandemic and it quickly became one of his favorite books.    Hope you enjoy reading this book to children and thank you for your support. 

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Apr 21, 3:44 am EST

Pandemic in a Book Day #3 of 19: Breaking Through by Katalin Kariko.

This memoir is a tale of hard work, persistence, being a woman immigrant in science, and dedicated pursuit of an important scientific question despite resource constraints and office politics and other challenges. Katalin’s story is very inspiring. The pandemic reference is that she is one of the key scientists who discovered the mRNA vaccine technology.   Hope you enjoy reading this book and thank you for your support. 

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Apr 20, 9:39 am EST

Pandemic in a Book Day#2: The Plague by Albert Camus

Day 2 of 19: Today's book is The Plague by Albert Camus. Set in French Algeria in 1849, this novel tells the story of Dr. Bernard Rieux who picks up initial clues of plague infections in his city and alerts the city public health authorities and subsequently collaborates with them while serving as the physician for patients who are dying in massive numbers. It is sure to put you in a reflective mode about a number of life questions, including responsibilities toward yourself, your family, and others around you.  Hope you enjoy reading this book and thank you for your support. 

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Apr 19, 4:27 am EST

Pandemic in a Book Day#1

Set in China in late 1400s, this book has descriptions of smallpox, smallpox "planting masters" who were invited to inoculate small childrens' noses with scabs of smallpox pustules that were wrapped in silk, and the status of women in medicine and society in general. An amazing read/ listen from cover to cover!

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Apr 16, 15:30 pm EST