Ancient Plagues & A New Pandemic

The video discusses the prevalence of concussions in the NFL, highlighting the risks and long-term effects on players, such as dementia and ALS. It covers the NFL's efforts to address these issues through research funding and safety reforms, including new helmet technologies. The video also delves into ancient plagues, focusing on the Justinian Plague and its genetic differences from the Black Death, suggesting potential modern pandemic threats from unknown strains.

What is a concussion technically defined as?

• A sudden jarring of the head causing temporary brain function loss

• A permanent brain injury from a head impact

• A minor headache from physical activity

• A psychological condition from stress

What is one proposed reform to help prevent concussions in sports?

• Increasing player salaries

• Reducing the number of games

• Introducing guardian caps in helmets

• Banning all physical contact

What did the NFL recently invest in to address concussion issues?

• Marketing campaigns

• Research grants for universities

• Player training programs

• New stadiums

What was surprising about the genome of the Justinian Plague?

• It was identical to the Black Death

• It was markedly different from the Black Death

• It was resistant to all known antibiotics

• It was found in modern-day Europe

What does the discovery of the Justinian Plague genome suggest?

• All ancient pandemics were caused by the same strain

• Pandemics are no longer a threat

• New strains of pathogens could still emerge

• The Black Death strain is extinct