Join curators and historians for an engaging series of panels offering perspectives on the current pandemic. Panelists will virtually share objects from the past as a springboard to a lively discussion of how to better understand the present. Audience questions are encouraged and will be addressed in the moderated dialogue. The COVID-19 pandemic created ambiguity about the meaning of essential work. As many jurisdictions imposed quarantines with only essential workers allowed to go to work, professionals like engineers and lawyers were often told to stay home while frontline hourly workers were asked to come in. Suddenly grocery store employees, trash truck drivers, and hospital orderlies were referred to as essential with some receiving bonuses. This panel will explore the historical tension between societal perception and essential designation. Moderator:
Alexandra Lord, PhD, National Museum of American History Panelists:
Peter Liebhold, National Museum of American History
Molly Kinder, Brookings Institute
Jacob Remes, New York University, Gallatin The National Museum of American History welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities. Real-time captioning (CART) will be provided for online programs. For other questions about accessibility, please email nmahprograms@si.edu. Two weeks’ notice is preferred. |