Epidemics, Pandemics, and Plagues: A Historical Reference Guide will explore the history of past epidemics and their effect on human populations and address the current era of coronaviruses. The book will explore effects of rampant diseases on human and animal populations and will address the socio-economic factors that often leave the underserved and minority populations at greater risk than the wealthier. The Guide's content will examine medical, social, political, economic, and philosophical aspects of pandemics, as well as transmission routes and disease vectors. Historians, clinicians, and health policy specialists debate questions such as: What is a plague vs. pandemic? Where does a pandemic begin? When does a pandemic end? How is communication about a disease or pandemic relayed to people? These are many of the questions we see in our current world as people struggle with COVID-19.