About this episode
With the an apparent second wave of COVID-19 in full force, the media are sounding the alarm on a deadly virus growing out of control. But during the Spanish Flu 100 years ago, the media downplayed the pandemic. On this week's show, a look at how the Spanish Flu vanished from our collective memory. Then, how Shakespeare, a British icon, became an American hero. 1. John Barry [ @johnmbarry ] , author of The Great Influenza , on how America forgot about the pandemic of 1918. Listen . 2. James Shapiro, author of Shakespeare in a Divided America , on what the Brit's plays teach us about life in the US . Listen . Music: Berceuse in D Flat Major, Op. 57 Chopin - Ivan Moravec Crows of Homer - Gerry O'Beirne The Dancing Master: Maiden Lane (John Playford) - The Broadside Band & Jeremy Barlow John’s Book of Alleged Dances (John Adams) - Kronos Quartet Fife Feature: Lowland’s Away (Roy Watrous) - Gregory S. Balvanz & The US Army Fife and Drum Corps Ballad No. 2 in F, Op. 38 (Chopin) - Ivan Moravec Little Rose is Gone/Billy in the Lowground - Jim TaylorCollection Frail As a Breeze - Erik Friedlander The De Lesseps' Dance - Shakespeare in Love Soundtrack Kiss Me Kate Overture - Kiss Me Kate Soundtrack Brush Up Your Shakespeare - Kiss Me Kate Soundtrack Love & the Rehearsal - Shakespeare in Love Soundtrack Harpsichord - Four Tet On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today ( https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm ). Follow our show on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.