Michigan Community Attempts to Heal Political Divisions Deepened by the Pandemic
Ask students: How did the pandemic deepen partisanship in the US, and what were some of the other impacts it had on Americans' trust in institutions?
Five years after the pandemic, the impacts on our politics, public health and civic life continue to be felt across communities. Judy Woodruff spoke to community members in Southeastern Michigan to explore how divisions that emerged during the public health emergency continue to play out today. It's part of her ongoing series, America at a Crossroads.
View the transcript of the story.
Warm-Up Questions
- Where does Judy Woodruff visit for this segment?
- Who are some of the people Woodruff interviews?
- What are some of the memories those people share with Woodruff about the early days of the pandemic?
- How did the pandemic deepen partisanship in the US, and what were some of the other impacts it had on Americans' trust in institutions?
- How did the pandemic shape the politics of some of the people interviewed for this segment?
Focus Questions
What do you think has been the greatest long-lasting impact on your community from COVID?
- What do you think are some actions your community could take to address any divisions or challenges that still linger from the pandemic?
- Do you think anything positive came out of the early years of the pandemic?
Media literacy: Why do you think the producers of this segment chose the people to interview for the segment? Who else would you have wanted to hear from this community?
What Students Can Do
At the end of this segment, Judy Woodruff mentions another segment that features a conversation between two people about COVID and politics. You can watch here:
- Why do you think the producers chose to pair these two? What are their backgrounds and expertise?
- After watching, how do you think public health officials could do a better job communicating with the public in future health emergencies?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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