Global crises may change in form, but the values needed to respond wisely remain the same. In this lesson, you will compare the Spanish Flu of 1918 and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2019. You will examine how messages, slogans, and public behavior reflect values such as responsibility, solidarity, respect, and truth. By analyzing similarities and differences, you will learn how words can guide actions and how values shape collective responses during difficult times.
🎯 Learning Goals
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Compare at least three similarities and three differences between the Spanish Flu and COVID-19.
- Explain how slogans and public messages influence people’s behavior during crises.
- Create a values-based slogan that promotes responsibility and solidarity during a global challenge.
🧩 Key Ideas & Terms
- Spanish Flu (1918) – a global pandemic that spread after World War I.
- COVID-19 (2019) – a modern global pandemic that affected health, economy, and daily life.
- Slogan – a short, memorable phrase used to influence thinking or behavior.
- Public message – information shared to guide people’s actions.
- Solidarity – unity and mutual support within a community.
- Responsibility – acting in ways that protect oneself and others.
- Information literacy – the ability to judge if information is accurate and reliable.
- Collective action – actions taken together to address a shared problem.
🔄 Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge
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What is one major lesson learned from the Spanish Flu?
Show Answer
Preparedness, honesty, and cooperation are essential in health crises.
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Name one health-related message you heard during COVID-19.
Show Answer
Examples: “Wash your hands,” “Stay home if sick,” “Wear a mask,” or “Protect each other.”
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Why do messages matter during emergencies?
Show Answer
They guide behavior, reduce fear, and encourage safe actions.
📖 Explore the Lesson
Read the checkpoints carefully. Compare past and present before opening the answers.
Checkpoint 1: Similar Crises, Different Times
Mini-goal: Identify shared challenges between the two pandemics.
Guided discussion: Both the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 spread rapidly across borders, caused fear, and disrupted daily life. Schools closed, public gatherings were limited, and healthcare systems were under pressure. In both cases, people searched for answers and safety. These similarities show that while technology changes, human vulnerability remains constant.
Mini-summary: Both pandemics disrupted life and required collective action.
- What fear did people share in both pandemics?
Show Answer
Fear of infection, loss of loved ones, and uncertainty about the future.
- Why do pandemics spread globally?
Show Answer
Because of travel, close contact, and lack of early containment.
- What value helps people face fear together?
Show Answer
Solidarity.
Checkpoint 2: Differences in Science and Communication
Mini-goal: Compare access to information and technology.
Guided discussion: During the Spanish Flu, medical knowledge and communication tools were limited. Information traveled slowly through newspapers and word of mouth. During COVID-19, digital media allowed rapid updates, but also increased misinformation. This shows that access to information is powerful but requires responsibility.
Mini-summary: Modern technology improves communication but increases the need for information literacy.
- How was information shared in 1918?
Show Answer
Through newspapers, posters, and community announcements.
- What new problem came with social media?
Show Answer
Misinformation spreads faster.
- What skill helps people judge information?
Show Answer
Information literacy.
Checkpoint 3: The Power of Slogans
Mini-goal: Understand how slogans influence behavior.
Guided discussion: Slogans simplify messages and make them memorable. During pandemics, slogans remind people to act responsibly and care for others. Short phrases like “Protect Each Other” or “Stay Home, Save Lives” can shape habits and attitudes.
Mini-summary: Slogans turn values into action-oriented reminders.
- Why are slogans effective?
Show Answer
They are easy to remember and repeat.
- What value is often seen in health slogans?
Show Answer
Responsibility or solidarity.
- Can slogans be harmful? How?
Show Answer
Yes, if they spread fear, blame, or false information.
Checkpoint 4: Behavior Then and Now
Mini-goal: Compare public behavior across time.
Guided discussion: In both pandemics, some people followed rules while others resisted. Fear, fatigue, and misinformation influenced behavior. However, many individuals also showed courage, compassion, and cooperation. These patterns show that values, not time period, shape behavior.
Mini-summary: Values guide behavior more than historical period.
- Why do some people resist safety rules?
Show Answer
Due to fear, misunderstanding, inconvenience, or mistrust.
- What behavior shows solidarity?
Show Answer
Following rules to protect others.
- How can leaders encourage cooperation?
Show Answer
By being transparent and fair.
Checkpoint 5: Lessons for Future Crises
Mini-goal: Apply values to future challenges.
Guided discussion: Future crises may involve health, climate, or conflict. Lessons from past pandemics remind us to act early, communicate honestly, and care for the vulnerable. Values provide stability when situations change.
Mini-summary: Values-based responses help societies face future crises wisely.
- What value is most important for future crises?
Show Answer
Answers vary: responsibility, compassion, solidarity.
- How can youth contribute positively?
Show Answer
By following rules and sharing accurate information.
- Why should history guide action?
Show Answer
It shows what works and what causes harm.
💡 Example in Action
- Spanish Flu slogan focus: prevention and hygiene.
Show Answer
Example: “Cover coughs to protect others.”
- COVID-19 slogan focus: solidarity and responsibility.
Show Answer
Example: “Stay Home, Save Lives.”
- Both pandemics emphasized protecting others.
Show Answer
Shared value: responsibility.
- Misinformation check: verify before sharing.
Show Answer
Use trusted health sources.
- Effective slogan quality: clear, positive, action-based.
Show Answer
These features help people remember and act.
📝 Try It Out
- List two similarities between the two pandemics.
Show Answer
Global spread and social disruption.
- List two differences between the two pandemics.
Show Answer
Medical technology and communication speed.
- Explain why slogans matter.
Show Answer
They guide behavior and spread key messages.
- Write one responsible health slogan.
Show Answer
Example: “Care for yourself, protect others.”
- What value does your slogan show?
Show Answer
Responsibility or solidarity.
- Why must slogans be truthful?
Show Answer
False messages cause harm.
- Give one example of collective action.
Show Answer
Following health guidelines together.
- How can students avoid misinformation?
Show Answer
By checking reliable sources.
- Why is solidarity important?
Show Answer
It protects the whole community.
- How can lessons from history help today?
Show Answer
They guide better decisions.
✅ Check Yourself
- True/False: Both pandemics required cooperation.
Show Answer
True
- Multiple choice: A slogan should be… a) confusing b) harmful c) clear d) secret
Show Answer
c)
- Short answer: What value supports collective action?
Show Answer
Solidarity.
- True/False: Information literacy is unimportant.
Show Answer
False
- Short answer: Why should slogans avoid blame?
Show Answer
Blame increases fear and division.
🚀 Go Further
- Create a poster comparing slogans from two pandemics.
Show Answer
Teacher note: Focus on values shown.
- Design a slogan for a future crisis.
Show Answer
Teacher note: Ensure positivity and accuracy.
- Analyze a slogan’s message and value.
Show Answer
Teacher note: Link words to behavior.
- Interview a family member about COVID-19 messages.
Show Answer
Teacher note: Emphasize reflection.
- Write a short reflection on responsible communication.
Show Answer
Teacher note: Look for ethical awareness.
🔗 My Reflection
Notebook task: Write 6–8 sentences.
- Which slogan influenced you the most during COVID-19? Why?
- What value should guide communication during crises?
- How can you help spread responsible messages in your community?
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