An article published by Dr Eoin McLaughlin on TheConversation.com has been read by over 165,000 people and syndicated by publications across the globe.
Co-authored by Dr Chris Colvin from Queen's University Belfast, the article draws historic parallels between the impact of the Spanish flu of 1918 and the spread of COVID-19.
Absorbing from the start, the hit read details the economic and social impact of the Spanish flu on the world’s population before outlining some lessons policymakers can draw on today.
They conclude the piece by calling on governments “to prepare for the economic and human consequences of the virus and act to minimise its impact”.
Since its publication, both Dr McLaughlin and Dr Colvin have been invited to speak on BBC World Service, two BBC Radio 4 programmes and two podcasts.
They have also been asked to write an extended version of the article for a special issue of the Journal of Economic Surveys focussing on COVID-19 and applied for a Stanton Foundation prize that rewards applied history articles or op-eds that shed light on the current crisis.
You can read Dr McLaughlin and Dr Colvin’s article on TheConversation.com