TEWKSBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — There are similarities between the current COVID-19 pandemic and previous pandemics in the country, such as smallpox during the colonial period.
Dr. Louis Fazen, who is on the board of The Museum of Public Health (formerly the Tewksbury State Hospital), told WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal that the country's approach to smallpox, and even polio, is similar to what is going on now.
"So identify and isolate the individuals who are sick, make sure that the contacts, usually the family in this case were not out in public and you know, in quarantine," Dr. Fazen said.
Another similarities between the coronavirus pandemic and pandemics before it is the need for breathing equipment. Many states have asked for assistance with ventilators, while in the past the iron lung became a necessity.
The Museum of Public Health is considered the first in the nation devoted to the study of public health and will soon launch a new exhibit online called "The Historic Pandemic Project."
The purpose of the project is to educate the public on the history of pandemics and how they have been, and are, handled.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports
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(Image: Public Health Museum)