CLEAN : Curating COVID: London's Science Museum collects during the pandemic

The video discusses the importance of collecting and preserving artifacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the challenges faced by museums in acquiring such items. It emphasizes the significance of capturing this period for future generations, despite difficulties like contamination risks and the need to avoid disrupting medical work. The Science Museum's efforts to document this era are seen as crucial, given the lack of historical records from past pandemics like the Spanish flu.

What type of objects are being collected to capture the spirit of the pandemic?

• Futuristic gadgets

• Ancient artifacts

• Sports memorabilia

• Everyday objects like newspapers and letters

Why is collecting items related to infectious diseases traditionally difficult?

• They are too large to store

• They are too expensive

• They are often contaminated or reused

• They are not considered valuable

What is one reason why there are few artifacts from the Spanish flu pandemic in museums?

• Artifacts were too large to keep

• Artifacts were not considered important

• Artifacts were often discarded due to trauma

• Artifacts were lost in a fire

What is a major challenge faced by the Science Museum in collecting COVID-19 artifacts?

• Difficulty in finding volunteers

• Shortage of storage space

• Lack of funding

• Avoiding disruption to medical work

What type of equipment is the Science Museum particularly interested in preserving for future use?

• Personal protective equipment

• Sports equipment

• Musical instruments

• Kitchen appliances