Pandemics of the Past -- A Reflection -- Gift

When learning about pandemics, one that stood out to me was the Spanish flu. What surprised me the most about it was how many people died due to the lack of proper communication and tools at the time. For example, the Spanish flu spread so fast because news was hidden from the public. People didn’t know how dangerous it was, which allowed the virus to infect more and more people. It’s really sad to think about how many lives were lost because the truth was kept from them.

Another shocking thing was the symptoms. The description I read said that people would develop dark spots on their skin before their body turned blue, and they couldn’t breathe, or they would bleed from their nose and mouth. Just thinking about the pain people must have gone through is horrifying. Imagine suffering from such symptoms before dying. Plus, they didn’t even have the right tools to detect the virus at that time. Microscope technology wasn’t advanced enough yet, and it took 15 years to finally see the virus. That’s such a long time to wait to find a solution.

If I had to face one of these pandemics, the Spanish flu would definitely be the scariest. The fact that there was no warning, no tools to help, and the symptoms were so gruesome makes it feel like a nightmare. Imagine not knowing what was going on, or how to protect yourself, and watching so many people die.

Another thing that stands out is how schools had to close during the pandemic, leaving children without an education. This would have had a long-term impact on them and their future opportunities.

So, what can we learn from these pandemics to be better prepared in the future? First, we need to develop tools that can detect and deal with viruses as quickly as possible. Supporting research and encouraging young people to study in fields related to medicine and science is crucial. This will help us not only understand past viruses but also create vaccines for future ones. Another lesson is about hygiene. We need to keep our surroundings and ourselves clean. Regular cleaning can be one of the simplest ways to stop the spread of viruses.

Finally, there’s something positive that came out of Covid-19. The pandemic pushed the development of more effective vaccines. It also helped in creating better, more efficient masks. But most importantly, it showed us the importance of telling people the truth. Unlike during the Spanish flu, when information was hidden, governments and health organizations during Covid-19 worked to give people accurate information so they could prepare and protect themselves.