We Could Have Been Great

The Flu That Changed America

This book about the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic takes a critical, reflective look at how the
pandemic permanently altered American society, public trust, and emergency management.
Weiss draws parallels between the COVID-19 pandemic and the 1918 influenza pandemic,
highlighting repeated mistakes and the societal changes that have made Americans less
prepared and less compassionate. This book offers a deeply thoughtful critique of the failures
that led to the pandemic's devastating impact, while also providing hope and encouragement for
future preparedness. This book is an emotional, historical, and challenging exploration into the
political weaponization of the crisis.