Pandemic now, Plague of the past...
In the past, there has been countless times through history that we hear about numerous people dying or being affected by viruses/diseases. Many people were isolated and lacked domesticating animals that meant the absence of acquired immunities to diseases like smallpox, measles, typhus, influenza, malaria, yellow fever, etc. One was "The Great Dying"(pg 557), when people of Europe arrived to America, there was a smallpox pandemic brought over through the travel by sea that caused so many people to die from the plague plus hunger. "The Little Ice Age", it was a period of unusual cool temperatures that happened during the early modern period with the peak in the mid-seventeeth century more specifically hitting China, Europe, and North America. While those in tropical areas experienced extreme heat causing societies and civilizations to go through a tough time of drought, widespread famine, and epidemics that caused many people to die. Although these are more climate and temperature causing ailments, it still led to many deaths in regards to different sickness spreading in relation to the present of the polar ice caps melting and climate change occurring with these irregular temperature changes.
Another experience of devastation towards a population was the plague caused by the Mongol Empire in the fifteenth century along the Silk Road and Eurasia. (pg. 521) They often left bodies severed during their conquest and rotting that created an ill advised trading route for traders to avoid plus so many people dying during this process which was the consequence of human disaster. This was later known as the "Black Death". Rodents, fleas, etc transmitted the disease from bacteria originating in China due to the Mongols slaughter leaving dying human bodies to manifest into this deadly spread of "yersinia pestis". This caused an enormous number of human victims to fall ill to this frightening plague.
(pg. 485 - The Plague)
We are currently in a pandemic caused by the infamous COVID-19 or Corona Virus that is spread from person to person through respiratory droplets from those who are infected when they cough, sneeze, or breath. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby which could be inhaled into the lungs. The spread of this virus usually occurs in close contact within 6ft of each other. It is also possible that a person can get this by touching a surface or object that has the virus and accidentally touch their eyes, mouth, or nose. The exact cause is still unclear and the location is pinpointed to China connecting the source to a bat mutation speculation being made in a lab. Those who are infected or having severe symptoms (not specifically as it can be due to other reasons like allergies) such as: Trouble breathing, Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, New confusion, Inability to wake or stay awake, and Bluish lips or face are the emergency warning signs associated with COVID. The more subtle ones reported Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, and/or Diarrhea. The quarantine period if contracting the virus or those traveling from out of the country should by up to 14 days. The ones most at risk are older people and those with pre-exiting medical conditions may be more vulnerable to the virus. The world has been a very different and difficult time with changes being made to stop the spread in hopes of finding a vaccine in the near future. There has been various ways to help keep the virus at bay with new regulations, proper training to employees, and safety precautions in place. It's mandatory to have face masks outside the home and around people who do not live in the same household while being aware of social distancing from one another to keep safe. We all have to make sure to have good hygiene especially washing our hands for at least 20 seconds thoroughly with warm water and soap. Whenever we go out we should always come home to shower, put clothes in the laundry, and using disinfectants like Lysol spray on shoes and apparel before placing them anywhere. As for being outside, carrying sanitizer for our hands is a great way to make sure our hands are clean too. Together we can beat this and adapt like our ancestors did with other diseases and viruses. We just need to continue practicing the necessary procedures in keeping ourselves and those around us safe.
Here's an short video from me as a quick introduction when we went into distance learning:
Sources/References:
Strayer, Robert. Nelson, Eric. "Ways of the World". Bedford, 2015.
Comments
Post a Comment