Previous module:
Next module:

Asking small questions

Total suggested time: 55 minutes

Class exercise: Examining highs and lows

Suggested time: 15 minutes

With the data you’ve prepared, see if you can answer the following small questions as a class:

  • During the first year of the pandemic, when did new COVID cases peak in New York?
  • When did the spread of the virus seem to be ebbing?
  • When did hospitalizations peak?
  • What about deaths?
  • What sort of relationships did the peaks of cases, hospitalizations and death seem to have?

Group/solo work: Exploring other states

Suggested time: 20 minutes

Individually or in small groups, select data from one of the states below.

Alabama Arizona California Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Michigan Minnesota Missouri North Carolina Nebraska New Jersey Nevada Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington Wisconsin
  • When did new COVID cases peak in the state?
  • Using the library’s website, investigate coverage in your state’s local press during the period you discovered.
    • How did local news organizations cover the spike?
    • In your view, how well did their coverage serve the community?

Class discussion: Considering peak COVID

Suggested time: 20 minutes

As a class, students should report back their findings and discuss:

  • Why might the peaks have been different from state to state?
  • What did your state’s coverage look like during these peaks?
  • What measure is most useful to define “peak” COVID?
Previous submodule:
Next submodule: