*based on CDC data for total deaths due to COVID-19 as of November 23, 2024
The People’s CDC is a grassroots organization made up of educators, researchers, healthcare professionals, and advocates who feel the CDC declared the pandemic to be over prematurely and work to minimize the impact of the virus. The organization offers a variety of services to combat misinformation and spread awareness for COVID’s ongoing impact. These services include The Weather Report, a bi-weekly update which goes over estimated infection rates based on wastewater data, analysis on what variants are most common among the infected, and recommendations for improving COVID safety in the reader’s community; the Speaker’s Bureau, an avenue to request an expert to come speak to an organization about COVID safety; and practical guides for mitigating COVID transmission in everyday situations. The People’s CDC’s work is volunteer-based and is funded by donations and support from The People’s Science Network.
The Lancet is a hybrid access, peer-reviewed journal which is among the world’s leading publishers of medical science literature. Since its founding in 1823, the journal has expanded to a wide network of publications which all operate with a core philosophy that medical knowledge must serve and transform society. True to its nature as a leading resource for medical research, the journal has published foundational research for understanding COVID-19 and Long COVID. Readers can use this link to find articles published by The Lancet relating to COVID-19.
Scientific Reports is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal which publishes literature from a breadth of scientific disciplines. Scientific Reports is among the most-cited journals globally and has published work that’s been vital for understanding the impact of COVID-19. Use this link to search literature on COVID-19.
LitCOVID is a database dedicated entirely to collecting and organizing up-to-date research on COVID-19. Created by researchers at the National Library of Medicine, this invaluable, “first-of-its-kind” tool centralizes data on COVID-19 for medical professionals, researchers, or advocates who are equipped to understand scientific literature. The home page includes prominent filters to explore different topics with COVID-19 (e.g. transmission, prevention, Long COVID, etc.), visualizations which show COVID-19 publications over time, and an FAQ for the site.
Youhavetoliveyour.life is a website made by a software developer known by the handle chrisisgr8. The site consists of a drop down menu with common misconceptions about COVID or talking points against taking precautions to prevent its spread, including “it’s like the flu”, “healthy people don’t have to worry about it”, and “COVID is mild now.” Clicking through a statement will return relevant sources to debunk or respond to the claim, with content ranging from studies from medical journals, journalism covering the pandemic, or reports from public agencies. Each result is appropriately tagged to show what kind of source it is (e.g. article, study, personal anecdote, etc.) and who authored it.
Pandemic, Inc. documents J. David McSwane’s journey to uncover cases of the U.S. government and private companies taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis for profit and to advance private interests. This covers bombshell stories including a con artist signing a multi-million dollar deal to produce PPE without following through, a politician who drastically reduced federal emergency funding, and a Department of Health whistleblower who was silenced by his superiors. McSwane is an award-winning reporter who frequently investigates corruption in the U.S. government and private healthcare system, most notably reporting on how Texas’ outsourced Medicare system benefited companies at the expense of sick and disabled patients.
Plagues in the Nation tells a history of the United States which is framed by the major pandemics which have challenged the nation. The author Polly J. Price is a Professor of Law and Professor of Global Health at Emory University and a 2017 Andrew Carnegie Fellow. The fellowship funding supported the research and writing of Plagues in the Nation, which was well underway as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the United States. This timing gives the book an urgent credibility and supports Price’s work to help the reader understand epidemics and pandemics not only as health emergencies. As large-scale events with often catastrophic effects, they often define entire eras through the reactions of thought leaders and policy makers. This book relays the vital truth that the challenges brought by COVID-19 and the failings of our collective response are not unique. By understanding our past and how it overlaps with our new normal, we can visualize and prepare for a holistic epidemic response and create a healthier future.
Skin, Tooth, and Bone is a fantastic resource for those who want to learn more about or even take an active role in pushing for disability justice. This primer offers practical strategies for mixed ability organizing, accessibility solutions for a variety of events, writings for various disabled communities by members of those communities, and timeline for disability activism. The book is based on the work of Sins Invalid, a project dedicated to disability justice and pushing intersectional understandings for the lives of disabled people.