Jeffrey Copeland

Jeffrey Copeland is a Professor in the Department of Languages and Literature at the University of Northern Iowa. He specializes in literary nonfiction, focusing on historical narratives with contemporary relevance. His 2018 book Plague in Paradise examines the 1924 Black Plague outbreak in Los Angeles and its startling parallels to the modern coronavirus pandemic.

In his research, Copeland highlights the importance of isolation and social distancing in controlling infectious disease outbreaks. He draws comparisons between the 1924 containment strategies (quarantine of Macy Street district, mobilization of WWI veterans) and 2020 pandemic responses, emphasizing how historical events shape modern public health practices.

His work also explores the societal impacts of pandemics, particularly how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected and how governments balance disease control with economic interests. The 1924 outbreak indirectly led to the formation of the CDC, which plays a central role in today's pandemic management.