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Can 20th century 'sick rooms' help stop the spread of disease today?

Sketch of 20th century sick room, provided by Lloyd Library
Courtesy
/
Lloyd Library
Sketch of 20th century sick room, provided by Lloyd Library

The COVID pandemic has made large-scale changes to every aspect of living — how we communicate, how we work and play, and even how we design our home spaces.

During the early 20th century, the threat of the spread of infectious diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia was part of everyday life, dramatically reshaping the layout of the American Victorian home with the incorporation of the "sick room."

On Cincinnati Edition, we discuss the 20th century sick room and how it can help control the spread of COVID variants and aid those suffering with the effects of long COVID.

Guests:

  • Elizabeth Yuko, researcher, Lloyd Library fellow
  • Dr. Carl J. Fichtenbaum, vice chair for clinical research for internal medicine, University of Cincinnati

Learn more about the sick room at the Lloyd Library.

Listen to Cincinnati Edition live at noon M-F. Audio for this segment will be uploaded after 4 p.m. ET.

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