Did you know, pandemics have been following the humankind since the year 165?

Along with humankind, infectious diseases have also spread across the globe. The pandemic situations have been following us since 165 when the first outbreak of Antonine Plague took place. The pandemic lasted for nearly 15 years that is from 165-180 and killed ~5 million people across the globe.

The second pandemic took place in the year 735 by the name Japanese smallpox epidemic. It lasted nearly two years that is from 735-737 and killed almost 1 million people across the world.

Apart from these, there are many other diseases Plague of Justinian (541-542) that killed ~30-50 million, Black Death (1347-1351) that killed around ~200 million, New World smallpox outbreak from 1520 that killed ~56 million, Great Plague of London from 1665 that killed ~100,000, Italian Plague (1629-1632) killed ~1 million, Cholera (1817-1923) killed ~1 million+. The list goes on and on including today’s situation of COVID-19.

As seen over time, these infectious diseases seem to be around for centuries and have affected mostly those people who have low immunity. The higher the immunity the lesser are the chances to fall sick.

Urbanization in the developing world is bringing more and more rural residents into denser neighborhoods, while population increase is putting greater pressure on the environment. At the same time, passenger air traffic nearly doubled in the past decade. These macro trends are having a profound impact on the spread of infectious diseases.

As organizations and governments around the world ask for citizens to practice social distancing to help reduce the rate of infection, the digital world is allowing people to maintain connections and commerce like never before.

So, if we start following the guidelines and taking care of ourselves, then we will be able to defeat COVID-19 sooner. This too shall pass soon. Until then stay safe and stay healthy!

Source – World Economic Forum

Written & Compiled by Faber Mayuri & Faber Priyal