![]() The demographics of the death toll are important. As a percentage of the total population, the 1918 flu was twice as deadly. According to some historians, the first wave of the plague in the 14 th century again wiped out half of Europe’s inhabitants.ĬOVID has killed more than a million Americans, roughly a third of one percent-or about the same percentage of the population killed in World War II. The 6 th century Justinian plague killed half the population of Europe. ![]() The 2 nd century Antonine Plague killed a quarter of the Roman Empire’s population. Simply put: The pandemic was not deadly enough. Owing to response measures, improved medications, life-saving procedures for treating critically-ill patients, and the rapid availability of a vaccine, the outbreak did not replicate the death tolls of previous pandemics.Īlthough it sounds perverse, saving lives ended up contributing to the controversy. Defiance has been elevated to patriotism. Some still claim that the vaccines themselves rivaled the virus in their lethality. They argue that needless lockdown orders and business shutdown ruined the economy providing financial relief to businesses and families opened the way for massive corruption and left the country with insupportable debt mask and vaccine mandates were assaults on personal liberty for the benefit of big Pharma profits. Some believe the government created the pandemic hoax or deliberately misled the public about the seriousness of the situation. So too, some COVID conspiracy theories suggest that the virus was designed to kill Whites or Blacks, while sparing Asians and Jews. In past pandemics, conspiracy theories flourished, often blaming immigrants and Jews. Partisan news outlets look for conflict and stoke outrage. ![]() The 1918 flu pandemic left a legacy of distrust in institutions and each other, which was passed down to children and grandchildren, COVID may have similar long-term effects.Īmericans are a cantankerous lot, increasingly suspicious of malevolent motives behind anything government does. A Biblical host of natural and man-made disasters-pestilence, war, famine, floods, drought, fire, contribute to a sense of foreboding. Its explanation lies beyond the pathogens. Urban geography may be permanently altered.Īs it often did after past pandemics, pessimism pervades the post-pandemic moodscape. The rise in crime in many city centers keeps many away. It is not uncommon to see rows of boarded up retail shops. ![]() While the COVID-19 pandemic comes nowhere near the depopulation effects of the plague, it emptied the sidewalks in many major American cities. The so-called great resignation appears to be ending, but the labor militancy that featured in post-pandemic societies continues. ![]() Others are refusing to give up working from home. Many Americans quit their jobs after the pandemic. The pandemic is not entirely to blame, but it has likely been a contributing factor. Mass shootings have hit an all-time high, while random unprovoked aggression has increased in public spaces. It appears to have come down in some cities, but violent crime remains above pre-pandemic levels. homicide rate in 20 increased by nearly 40 percent. Today, society seems similarly on edge and quick to violence, an observation that was also made about medieval society following the plague. ![]()
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