The first phase of the parallel pandemic project focused on comparing responses to the global pandemic between the United States and Pakistan. Phase one included several zoom sessions with students, faculty, and speakers from both countries and focused on eight main themes:
COVID-19 and the Healthcare System
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, the CEO of Indus Hospital, and Dennis K McBride, a fellow at the Potomac Institute for Policy studies, presented on the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare systems in their respective countries.
COVID-19 and the Economy
Anis Shiekh, an economist from Pakistan, and Dan Griswold, Co-Director of the Trade and Immigration Project at the Mercator Center, presented on the relationship between COVID-19 and the Economy in both Pakistan and the United States.
COVID-19 and Policy Implementation
Ambassador (r) Tajammul Altaf, Senior Research Associate at Institute of Policy Studies and former diplomat from Pakistan, and Kingsley Haynes, George Mason University Professor Emeritus describe Policy and COVID-19 in the United States and Pakistan.
COVID-19 and Legislative Responses
M Azhar Siddique, an advocate for the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and Ed Rhodes, a Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University, talk about Legislative Responses and COVID-19 in Pakistan and the United States.
COVID-19 and Religion
Mufti Muhammad Zubair, a Religious Scholar in Pakistan, and John Turner, a Professor of Religious Studies at George Mason University, present on the relationship between Religion and Response to COVID-19 in both Pakistan and the United States.
COVID-19 and the Family
Prof. Dr. Anila Amber Malik a consultant and Professor of Psychology at the University of Karachi and Patricia Masters, and Associate Professor of Sociology at George Mason University, talk about Family and COVID-19 in the United States and Pakistan.
COVID-19 and Education System
Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, an Eminent Educationist at the University of Karachi, and Mark Ginsberg, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President of George Mason University, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the Educational System in Pakistan and the United States.
COVID-19 and Media
Rizwan Jaffar, Anchor-AAJ News in Pakistan, and Gary Kreps, Distinguished Professor of Communications at George Mason University, present on the influence of Media and COVID-19 in both the United States and Pakistan
Phase-I of the Parallel Pandemic Project occurred in July and August of 2020. Phase-II is set to begin in the Fall of 2020 and anticipated to dive into the main themes discussed during the first phase.
Parallel Pandemic Project 