American Contagions: Epidemics And The Law From Smallpox To COVID-19

Sonali Kolhatkar speaks with John Fabian Witt about epidemics throughout history.

The coronavirus pandemic has upended our way of life like nothing else in recent memory. But it is certainly not the first infectious disease to plague societies. How governments respond to epidemics and pandemics are a test of their commitment to human rights and equality as well as how they prioritize individual freedoms over collective safety.

Today as basic safety measures requiring public cooperation are victim to hyper-politicization, we look back at the history of American Contagions – which is also the title of a new book.

Rising Up with Sonali is a radio and television show that brings progressive news coverage rooted in gender and racial justice to a wide audience. Rising Up With Sonali was built on the foundation of Sonali Kolhatkar's earlier show, Uprising, which became the longest-running drive-time radio show on KPFK in Los Angeles hosted by a woman. RUS airs on Free Speech TV every weekday.

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American Contagions Coronavirus Covid COVID-19 Epidemics Free Speech TV Human Rights Rising Up with Sonali Smallpox Sonali Kolhatkar