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Will there be another pandemic in your lifetime?

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2,022 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

We tend to think of pandemics as unlikely events, but disease outbreaks are surprisingly common. Over the past 400 years, the longest stretch of time without a documented outbreak was just four years. So, what’s the probability of experiencing another world-changing pandemic in your lifetime? Explore the likelihood of a future pandemic and the steps we can take to reduce its destructiveness.

What is the most optimistic estimate of the yearly statistical risk of a COVID-19-level pandemic?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Director Igor Coric, Artrake Studio
  • Script Writer George Zaidan
  • Narrator George Zaidan
  • Music Nikola Radivojevic
  • Sound Designer Nikola Radivojevic
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Producer Alexandra Zubak
  • Associate Producer Sazia Afrin
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer George Zaidan
  • Expert Consultant William Pan, Marco Marani, Melvin Sanicas, Nita Madhav, Ben Oppenheim, Nicole Stephenson

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