Introduction and Part 1: Research and Reflection
Part 2: Class Discussion
Part 3: Written Reflection
Part 4: Optional Class Vote
After discussing both the Black Death and COVID-19, which pandemic do you believe had a more profound impact on society and religion, from the perspective of a specific group (e.g., a religious leader, a peasant, a healthcare worker, a government official, etc.)? Why? Use examples from both pandemics and insights from the class discussion to support your answer, considering how your chosen group may have experienced these events differently.
NOTE: This assignment will be found in MS Teams under Assignments: Pandemics Through Their Eyes: Comparing the Black
From the viewpoint of:
Think about which group you want to represent in your project. Here are some options:
A religious leader
A peasant or common person
A healthcare worker
A government official
A business owner
Research the Pandemics:
Below this section you will find a video titlde "What Made the Black Death so Deadly? Watch this video and respond to the multiple choice questions. The answers are provided on the link below the questions.
Read the summaries below this vide on Summary: Infodemics During Plague and Pandemic and Comparison between the Black Plauge and COVID-19
Conduct research on both the Black Death and COVID-19. Focus on their impacts on society and religion. You can use your textbooks, online resources, or any other materials provided in class. You will record this information on the link to the whiteboard on MS Teams in the assignment.
Guiding Opinion Questions:
As you research, think about the following questions and how they relate to your chosen group:
Which pandemic do you believe had a more significant societal impact? Why?
How did each pandemic affect religious beliefs and practices for your group?
Did either pandemic change the relationship between people and religious institutions? How?
Which pandemic led to more profound changes in government or societal structures for your group?
Do you believe that the way society responded to the Black Death was more impactful on daily life than the response to COVID-19, or vice versa? Why?
Prewriting For Your Reflection:
Write down your thoughts on the opinion questions, using examples from your research to support your views. Make sure to consider how your chosen group experienced these events differently. You do not have to write your reflection yet. This step is to provide you with constructive time to do some planning.
While watching this video, select the best answer for each of the multiple choice questions.
1. What was the bubonic plague known as in the video?
a. The duke of disease
b. The queen of viruses
c. The king of infections
d. The knight of illness
2. How many people were estimated to have died from the bubonic plague in five years?
a. 1 million
b. 5 million
c. 20 million
d. 200 million
3. What system does the bubonic plague primarily attack?
a. Digestive system
b. Respiratory system
c. Lymphatic system
d. Nervous system
4. What is the primary treatment for the bubonic plague mentioned in the video?
a. Vaccines
b. Antibiotics
c. Pain relievers
d. Herbal remedies
5. How quickly did COVID-19 kill more than 5.5 million people?
a. 1 year
b. 5 years
c. 2 years
d. 10 years
6. Which symptoms are associated with the Black Death according to the video?
a. Fever and headaches
b. Skin rash and loss of taste
c. Chest pain and confusion
d. Coughing and sneezing
7. How long can it take for COVID-19 symptoms to appear?
a. 1-3 days
b. 5-7 days
c. Up to 14 days
d. 30 days
8. What can happen if the Black Death is not treated?
a. It will go away on its own
b. It can become life-threatening
c. It becomes less contagious
d. It only affects certain people
9. According to the video, which virus is considered to be more severe if untreated?
a. COVID-19
b. The common cold
c. The Black Death
d. Influenza
10. What does the video suggest about the potential impact of COVID-19 in 1347?
a. It would have been less dangerous
b. It could have been equally dangerous
c. It would have been nonexistent
d. It would have been curable
This is a summary on the Bubonic Plague in London. When comparing this to the Black Plague there may be similarities as to how it impacted the people, aside from the impact on their health (life).
Isabelle Madsen’s study explores the spread of misinformation during the 1665 Bubonic plague in London and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the social consequences of both crises. The Bubonic plague led to the death of 100,000 Londoners, exacerbated by rampant misinformation and conspiracy theories about the disease's origins and cures. Historical patterns show that fear and anxiety during outbreaks encourage people to seek out false remedies, creating a vicious cycle of panic.
Key Points:
Historical Context: The 1665 Black Death was not the first outbreak in England, but it occurred in a time filled with suspicion and false cures, similar to the environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blame and Conspiracy: Both outbreaks saw communities blaming specific groups, leading to increased social tensions and mistrust, as highlighted by historian Johannes Dillinger.
Role of Misinformation:
Daniel Defoe’s A Journal of the Plague Year details the misinformation epidemic, noting that many people were willing to believe false claims, driven by fear and desperation.
Misinformation was spread through both oral rumors and printed materials, which often lacked credibility and accuracy.
Impact of Social Media: During COVID-19, social media amplified misinformation, creating echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs and lead to non-compliance with health guidelines.
Education and Vulnerability: The susceptibility to misinformation correlates with factors like education and analytical thinking, leaving less educated populations more vulnerable, as seen in both historical and modern contexts.
Health Officials' Response: The failure of health officials to adequately counter misinformation contributed to its spread, with modern parallels suggesting that clear, credible information is essential for public compliance.
Social Consequences: Both pandemics have shown that misinformation leads to fear and distrust, hindering public health efforts. The need for good science and public trust remains crucial in combatting misinformation.
Lessons Learned: The study emphasizes the importance of preventing misinformation to improve public health compliance and reduce the impact of future health crises.
By comparing the experiences of London during the Black Death and the global response to COVID-19, Madsen highlights the ongoing challenges posed by misinformation in public health crises.
Transmission
COVID-19:
Transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking, and can also spread via contact with contaminated surfaces.
Asymptomatic individuals can spread the virus, complicating containment efforts.
Global travel contributed to rapid spread, with outbreaks appearing in urban centers and leading to widespread community transmission.
Black Plague (Bubonic Plague):
Primarily transmitted through fleas that lived on rats, and through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or tissues.
The disease could also spread via respiratory droplets in its pneumonic form.
It spread rapidly in crowded urban areas, particularly in Europe during the 14th century, exacerbated by trade routes and poor sanitation.
Cultural Impact
COVID-19:
Heightened awareness of public health and hygiene practices, leading to changes in daily life (mask-wearing, social distancing).
Increased reliance on technology for communication, education, and work.
The pandemic sparked discussions about health equity, mental health, and systemic issues within society.
Black Plague:
Triggered profound changes in European society, leading to a decline in population and labor shortages.
Influenced art, literature, and cultural expressions, often depicting themes of death and mortality.
Sparked various responses, including the emergence of the Renaissance as society began to shift towards humanism and away from strict religious dogma.
Societal Impact
COVID-19:
Disrupted economies globally, leading to unemployment, supply chain issues, and changes in consumer behavior.
Highlighted and sometimes exacerbated existing social inequalities, with marginalized groups disproportionately affected.
Accelerated shifts toward remote work and online services, changing traditional business models.
Black Plague:
Led to significant social upheaval, weakening the feudal system as labor shortages allowed workers to demand better conditions and wages.
Resulted in the decline of the power of the Church, as people questioned its inability to protect them from the disease.
Fostered a climate of fear and suspicion, often resulting in scapegoating marginalized groups (e.g., Jews).
Religious Impact
COVID-19:
Religious gatherings were restricted, prompting faith communities to adapt through online services.
Some religious leaders and groups faced criticism for disregarding health guidelines, while others took a proactive role in supporting community health.
The pandemic raised questions about faith and the role of religion in coping with crises.
Black Plague:
Many viewed the plague as divine punishment for sin, leading to increased religious fervor and extreme penance practices.
The Church struggled to provide explanations or remedies, leading to a decline in its authority and trust among the populace.
Some religious movements, like the Flagellants, emerged, advocating for public displays of penance to appease God.