Plague and Prejudice: The Black Death in California

The video discusses the reemergence of the bubonic plague in San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century. It highlights the historical context of the plague, its impact on the city's population, particularly the Chinese community, and the public health measures taken to control its spread. The response was controversial, with media branding the plague as fake news and economic concerns influencing decisions. The video concludes with lessons learned from the past and their relevance to modern pandemics.

What was the primary method of transmission for the bubonic plague?

• Fleas and rats

• Contaminated water

• Direct human contact

• Airborne particles

Which group made up a significant portion of San Francisco's population during the plague outbreak?

• Mexican immigrants

• Irish immigrants

• Chinese immigrants

• Italian immigrants

What was the initial response by San Francisco officials to contain the plague?

• Vaccination campaign

• Closing all businesses

• Inspecting docked boats and quarantining infected individuals

• Citywide quarantine

Why did local business leaders oppose the quarantine measures?

• They believed it was unnecessary

• They were not informed about the measures

• They feared it would harm the economy

• They thought it was a violation of rights

What natural disaster disrupted San Francisco's efforts to control the plague?

• Flood

• Hurricane

• Earthquake

• Tornado