Have you ever wondered what it feels like when the whole world comes to a standstill? Epidemics have that power—they stop everything and change life as we know it. From ancient times to till now, diseases have shaped history in so many ways that we can’t forget.
The Black Death in the 1300s was one of the first and deadliest epidemics. Millions of people were killed as it spread throughout Europe. Imagine a time when there were no doctors or medicines to treat this kind of illness. People lived in terror, they were unable to protect themselves, and entire villages were deserted.
The Spanish Flu struck in 1918. People had begun to tire out and having difficulties in the wake of World War I. Then came this illness, spreading faster than anyone could conceive. Over 50 million people died in this epidemic. It is very similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone wore masks, schools and stores were closed, and the streets were silent.
Smallpox was another devastating epidemic. This illness has been spreading suffering and death worldwide for thousands of years. People suffered fevers and rashes, and many didn’t survive. Fortunately, smallpox disappeared by 1980 thanks to the development of a vaccine in the 18th century, which was a significant scientific success.
HIV/AIDS presented a new threat to the world in the 1980s. Millions of people suffered from this epidemic, which spread much misinformation and fear. Many individuals died in this epidemic since there was no cure or treatment. But throughout time, doctors and researchers have worked hard to produce drugs that allow individuals with HIV to live long and healthy lives. The fight against HIV/AIDS is still going strong today, with several measures being launched around the world though the cure is still unknown.
In the context of COVID-19, everyone recalls how the world came to a stop in 2020. People thought it was just a simple virus and the government gave a small lockdown of 15 days. But later when the situation got worse the whole world was stopped and people had to stay at home for approximately 1.5 years. To keep safe, individuals stayed at home, cities were closed down, and flights were canceled. Many people experienced something that was so massive and profound for the first time. It worked as a reminder of how precious life is and how essential it is to maintain good health. Covid 19 was truly a great reminder for us.
But these epidemics also taught us important lessons. They showed us the power of science and medicine. Vaccines, better hygiene, and global cooperation have saved millions of lives. Every time the world faced any deadly disease, people always came together and find solutions to protect one another. It also taught us that we should cherish every moment of our life as nobody knows when their life will come to an end.
Epidemics are very horrifying, but they also remind us about our strength. When the world stops, we learn how to start everything again, stronger and smarter than before. So the next time you hear about diseases from history or the news, remember this: humanity has faced them before, and we’ve always found a way to keep going.
To read more blogs, click here.
Writer
Tandra Saha Tanu
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE