meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
6 Minute English

Coronavirus vs other pandemics

6 Minute English

BBC

Language Learning, Education

4.61.3K Ratings

🗓️ 24 December 2020

⏱️ 6 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Hear about coronavirus and how it isn’t that bad compared to historical pandemics

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This is a download from BBC Learning English.

0:03.0

To find out more, visit our website.

0:06.0

Six Minute English.

0:08.0

From BBC learning English.

0:11.0

com.

0:12.0

Hello, this is six minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil and I'm

0:17.8

Georgina I've really had enough of this coronavirus Georgina people getting sick losing their jobs and to top it off the

0:25.6

pubs in some places are closed. I know it's bad now but compared to historical

0:30.1

pandemics like the Spanish flu and economic crises like the Great Depression

0:35.2

coronavirus isn't actually so bad. You've got to look at the bigger picture

0:40.1

the long-term overall view of a complex situation.

0:44.0

Hmm, somehow that's not very comforting, Georgina, but tell me more.

0:48.0

Well, we've heard lots from politicians and scientists about the spread of coronavirus, but a historian's view might give us a fresh look at the bigger picture.

0:58.0

And maybe a more hopeful point of view.

1:01.0

So in this program we'll be hearing from historian Peter point of

1:05.0

point-of-view.

1:08.0

The film-Frankopan, author of best-selling book, The Silk Roads.

1:09.0

Ah, the title of that

1:15.0

the Silk Roads reminds me of my quiz question Georgina. Are you ready to have a go?

1:16.0

I'll try Neil but the only thing I know about the Silk Roads is that they were the ancient routes

1:21.0

along which people travelled the earth.

1:23.2

Very good Georgina, not just people but also ideas.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.