In 2020–21, the whole world met with COVID-19 pandemic. Collect details from media sources and compare with what is given in the box.
The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918–19 and the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–21 share several similarities as global health crises. Both were pandemics affecting wide geographical areas worldwide. The Spanish Flu, caused by a virus attacking the respiratory tract, killed approximately 40 million people globally and about 5% of India's population. Similarly, COVID-19 spread rapidly across the world.
A key difference lies in the context of spread. The Spanish Flu spread quicker due to World War I, where close quarters and mass troop movement accelerated transmission, and soldiers' immune systems were weakened by combat stress. In contrast, COVID-19 spread in peacetime through modern travel and global connectivity.
While medical improvements, mass vaccination, and better sanitation now help control epidemics, both pandemics highlight how viral mutations can challenge existing healthcare systems. The Spanish Flu underwent major genetic changes making it immune to existing vaccines, similar to concerns with COVID-19 variants.
Explanation
The question asks students to compare COVID-19 with the Spanish Flu pandemic described in the textbook box. The answer draws parallels between both pandemics (global spread, respiratory viruses, high mortality) while noting contextual differences (wartime vs. peacetime spread). Key terms from the context like 'pandemic', 'respiratory tract', 'genetic changes', and mortality figures are incorporated. The answer follows the SA format of 80-120 words with 3 paragraphs and bold key terms.