COVID-19: How does Coronavirus compare to other outbreaks? Let's Learn From History

Future Learn ^ | 03/12/2020

[Does so]

I had the flu as a youngster, and before they offered immunizations.

103 degrees: While I hoped to live, Death was a close second.

[Freee-dame]

A good question.

[Freee-dame]

This is a most informative article comparing the coronavirus Covid-19 with many other pandemics that have occurred in the past hundred years.

Did any of them tank any countries entire economies? I remember clearly the swine flu epidemic in the 70s and all the other ones since then but I don’t recall any economies being destroyed or any of the outbreaks being politicized.

[Travis McGee]

Covid 19 is not "over" in China. It's being held at bay by extreme, govt-ordered social distancing and quarantine, at the cost of shutting down their economy.

Since there is no "herd immunity" until 70+% of a population has been infected and recovered, the Chinese (or Italians, or Americans etc.) will be just as susceptible to new waves of Covid-19 in coming months or years. (Spanish Flu also came in waves, the 2nd was more deadly than the first.)

Every govt faces this balancing act, while hoping that the first wave of CV will pass and their economies can be revived, without a return of CV. We are in uncharted waters as to the length and depth of the coming ordeal.

Hopes that CV will go away in the summer may be mistaken. An outbreak by community spread is happening in Manila, now under lockdown.

[Does so]

I had the flu as a youngster, and before they offered immunizations.

103 degrees: While I hoped to live, Death was a close second.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Did any of them tank any countries entire economies?

The Bubonic Plague in the middle ages not only tanked the European economy, it took DECADES for them to recover.

Nearly a third of Europe’s population was wiped out!

[Vermont Lt]

There was a deep recession in 1920-21 because of the Spanish Influenza.

Everyone thinks we are so “unique” these days.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: here was a deep recession in 1920-21 because of the Spanish Influenza.

Yep, which in turn resulted in the ROARING TWENTIES where the stock market hit record highs every year ( President then : Calvin Coolidge ).

Of course, that all came to a crashing end in 1929 which ushered in the Great Depression.

[Reily]

Their recovery was an explosion of creativity & productivity.

Wages went up dramatically, the feudal system was stressed and classes became much more fluid, recognizable capitalism emerged. The age of exploration and industrialization started.

[Terry L Smith]

Do not forget the first swine flu outbreak in 1976, hitting the Fort Dix/McGuire AFB, Dover AFB area. I was one of the five that got it on Dover AFB!

[SeekAndFind]

Maybe you can share with us your experience with that outbreak. How did it feel trying to recover and what steps did you take to heal?

That would be helpful for everyone. Thanks

[daniel1212]

So 3,400 deaths far for CV-219, vs. about 250k-500k yearly deaths worldwide for the flu, vs. 1-4 million deaths Hong Kong flu, let along the Spanish flu, the vast numbers for which are questionable. .

The WHO advice is to: Wash your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Actually, it is before you eat that is most important, presuming you,

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Meaning with unwashed hands.

Maintain social distancing (at least 1 metre/3 feet between yourself and anybody who is coughing or sneezing).

Rather, avoid being within 12 feet of such, or if outside when the wind is blowing, stand with the wind at your back and 3 feet away from an infected person. Hold your breath for 30 secs if you can if someone close sneezes close to you.

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, ideally with your bent elbow or a tissue.

Yes, or inside a bulky coat if you cannot cover your mouth with the bent elbow.

Seek medical care early if you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

Not for just a fever or cough at least. Pray (see tag), rest and make sure you eat something nutritious (like tomato sauce and garlic), take your daily vitamin-mineral, keep hydrated, warm (and humid) but get fresh air and sun is possible.

Take protection measures if you are in or have recently visited areas where coronavirus is spreading.

Like? Soviet russian cccp Military, army, Gas mask GP-5 . Only mask Size Small

[daniel1212]

CDC: 80,000 people died of flu last winter [2018] in U.S , highest death toll in 40 years

[Terry L Smith]

It was winter in Delaware. I spent 2 weeks in the base hospital, in a separated ward with the other four guys. Daytime, i had no ‘reactions’. As the sun went down, my fever climbed, my volatile nausea came on, followed by my passing out till dawn. For the first week, this was the routine. Medication after medication, finding my allergic reactions added to my nausea. The last four days came down to manageable levels. I wss released to the barracks for 2 weeks, then cleared for duty.

[Billthedrill]

Yes, we certainly could learn from history.

I am speaking now of people made desperate by the apprehensions of their being shut up, and their breaking out by stratagem or force, either before or after they were shut up, whose misery was not lessened when they were out, but sadly increased. On the other hand, many that thus got away had retreats to go to and other houses, where they locked themselves up and kept hid till the plague was over; and many families, foreseeing the approach of the distemper, laid up stores of provisions sufficient for their whole families, and shut themselves up, and that so entirely that they were neither seen or heard of till the infection was quite ceased, and then came abroad sound and well. I might recollect several such as these, and give you the particulars of their management; for, doubtless, it was the most effectual secure step that could be taken for such whose circumstances would not admit them to remove, or who had not retreats abroad proper for the case; for, in being thus shut up, they were as if they had been a hundred miles off. Nor do I recall that any one of those families miscarried. Among these several Dutch merchants were particularly remarkable, who kept their houses like little garrisons besieged, suffering none to go in or out or come near them...

Daniel Defoe, Journal of the Plague Year, 1722

Bugging in vs. bugging out. That conversation is 300 years old now.

[Redwood71]

“highest death toll in 40 years.”

Yes. I know. I posted something like that on another thread. But one article I read was 61K and another 81K. Seems they can’t exactly come up with a number consistently. I get the opinion they use whatever they need sometimes to get funding.

rwood