Plagues Then and now
10/14/21
In 1346 a bubonic plague hit Europe and Africa, and ran until 1353. That is seven long years of death and drastic social changes.
In those days they could quarantine, but no one knew about vaccines or safe medical practices.
Originally spread by the fleas on the black rats coming off slaves ships from Asia, it became an airborne virus that people could not fight effectively.
It is estimated that from 75- to 200 million people died in this time period.
The results were to destroy the feudal system, with a sharp shortage of labor, so fields lay fallow, and grave diggers prospered.
The city states fell and lost control over the population, and wages rose for the skilled artisan, (those that were left anyway).
Today we have a world wide plague of a virus that keeps mutating, and although we have vaccines, not everyone will comply with good medical advice and safe social practices.
So the same thing is happening. We have a labor shortage and social disruption.
The difference is that we do have the means to control this disease, but it means co-operation between the haves and have nots.
Being airborne, the virus kills careless princes and peasants alike.
Recently the peasants have revolted, and we see massive amounts of workers going out on strike.
We need the power to revert to the working man and 10 thousand workers on strike must get results.
When the princes of the economy get a 160% raise in their salaries and the workers that make the profit for the princes have no raise but a decrease in wages due to inflation and rising medical costs, then strikes are needed and inevitable.
So- Kaiser and Deere- changes are needed.
knightsengirl 