I had to do some research on the social implications of past pandemics, and the pattern is always the same whether the 18th (Yellow Fever), 19th (cholera), 20th (influenza), or 21st century — deny that it’s real, say it’ll go away on its own, blame the poor but make them stay and do the dangerous work (though doctors and nurses of the day DID generally stay as well) …. while the rich flee to the safer countryside. If this follows the course of past pandemics, the push to end whatever restrictions were put in place (usually quarantine) will be strong, we’ll open up too soon, and there will be wave after wave for years. Oh wait, we’re already doing that? Better hope for that vaccine (which was not an option back in the day).
I had to do some research on the social implications of past pandemics, and the pattern is always the same whether the 18th (Yellow Fever), 19th (cholera), 20th (influenza), or 21st century — deny that it’s real, say it’ll go away on its own, blame the poor but make them stay and do the dangerous work (though doctors and nurses of the day DID generally stay as well) …. while the rich flee to the safer countryside. If this follows the course of past pandemics, the push to end whatever restrictions were put in place (usually quarantine) will be strong, we’ll open up too soon, and there will be wave after wave for years. Oh wait, we’re already doing that? Better hope for that vaccine (which was not an option back in the day).