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Coronavirus

Overview

A variety of ways exist to conduct historical research using U.S. Government resources to learn more about the coronavirus pandemic. Below are three ideas among many possibilities. The first example highlights some publications by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. The second example looks at some U.S. Government agencies that have information about the pandemic. And the third example offers some additional quick research tips.

Documents from the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

Screenshot of "Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic" website

Established on April 23, 2020, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic (formerly known as the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis) is under the Committee on Oversight and Reform of the U.S. House of Representatives. Its main purpose is to examine the "efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and transparency of the use of taxpayer funds and relief programs to address the coronavirus crisis." The featured documents are U.S. Government publications from 2022 that concern coronavirus resources or its global impacts on various parts of society. The featured topics include investigations on childcare challenges and pandemic relief programs.

Screenshot of "The coronavirus vaccine manufacturing failures of Emergent BioSolutions by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis"

The coronavirus vaccine manufacturing failures of Emergent BioSolutions by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Quoted excerpt: "Emergent’s failures wasted hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars and impacted our country’s ability to meet the urgent, global need for coronavirus vaccines. Emergent’s inability to meet or maintain quality standards at its Bayview facility, both before and after the Trump Administration awarded a multimillion-dollar contract, raises questions about whether additional contracting controls could have prevented the destruction of nearly 400 million doses of coronavirus vaccine and the loss of taxpayer funds."
Screenshot of "COVID child care challenges: supporting families and caregivers by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis"

COVID child care challenges: supporting families and caregivers by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Quoted excerpt: "The coronavirus pandemic has put tremendous strain on America’s families and caregivers. Many of us have seen firsthand in our own families, with our friends, and among our co-workers the difficult challenges that parents, teachers, and other caregivers have faced in the last few years."
Screenshot of "Ensuring scientific integrity at our nation’s public health agencies by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis"

Ensuring scientific integrity at our nation’s public health agencies by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Quoted excerpt: "Last week, Congress’ independent and nonpartisan watchdog issued a detailed report finding that government scientists observed incidents of political interference in the pandemic response that undermined the scientific integrity and independence of our Nation’s public health agencies."
Screenshot of "Recognizing and building on the success of pandemic relief programs by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis"

Recognizing and building on the success of pandemic relief programs by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Quoted excerpt: "As the coronavirus spread nationwide in the spring of 2020, the economic harm was immediate and devastating. Over 22 million people lost their jobs, and the share of Americans unable to afford their basic expenses, like food, housing, and healthcare, sharply increased."
Screenshot of "Underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated : how the pandemic economy disproportionately harmed low-wage women workers by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis"

Underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated : how the pandemic economy disproportionately harmed low-wage women workers by U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis

  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Quoted excerpt: "Many more women than men are the exclusive childcare providers for their households. And in households where care responsibilities are shared, they are often shared unevenly. As a result, when the pandemic disrupted normal life in 2020, many working mothers were left unable to balance their jobs with their increased responsibilities to take care of their children, ailing parents, and others for whom they had taken on this essential work."

U.S. Government Resources for Historical Research

For additional historical information about the coronavirus pandemic, check out the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the Smithsonian. 

Screenshot of "Library of Congress" website

Library of Congress

  • Though the Library of Congress serves primarily the members of Congress with 24/7 access to information and reference services, the general public can also enjoy and explore its vast printed and digital collections.

 
Screenshot of "National Archives and Records Administration" website

National Archives and Records Administration

  • This agency is the "nation's record keeper of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States federal government."

 
Screenshot of "Smithsonian Institution" website

Smithsonian Institution

  • Founded in 1846, it is the "world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo."

Additional Quick Tips to Conduct Historical Research

The following information are some additional quick tips to conduct historical research on the coronavirus pandemic. 

  • Try different general keyword searches for the virus. For example, 
    • 2019nCoV
    • coronavirus
    • covid-19
    • sars coronavirus 2
  • Search for publications by different U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate committees that mention the coronavirus pandemic. For example,
    • House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and Nonproliferation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
    • Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Historical Research on another Global Pandemic, 1918-1920 Flu Pandemic

In the spring of 1918, a new strain of influenza emerged. While the flu is often most dangerous for the very young and very old, this strain was unusual in that many of its victims were young, healthy adults. There were three waves of the virus that spread around the globe. Ultimately, at least 50 million people were killed. For more information about the 1918-1920 Flu Pandemic, check out some U.S. Government resources.

Screenshot of "The 1918 Flu Pandemic: Why It Matters 100 Years Later" website

The 1918 Flu Pandemic: Why It Matters 100 Years Later

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Learn about the five reasons this pandemic is still historically significant.
Screenshot of "Chasing Influenza" website

Chasing Influenza

Smithsonian

  • Follow the history of finding a vaccine for the influenza virus.
Screenshot of "The Deadly Virus: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918" website

The Deadly Virus: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918

National Archives and Records Administration

  • Visit a virtual exhibits about the pandemic
Screenshot of "Influenza Epidemic of 1918 (Spanish Flu): Topics in Chronicling America"

Influenza Epidemic of 1918 (Spanish Flu): Topics in Chronicling America

Library of Congress

  • See digitized primary sources of historic newspapers about the pandemic.

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