Things Have Always Been Terrible

A series in which I make you feel less lonely, realizing how many other pandemics humans have lived through. Haaninin Smallpox Epidemic of 1869 Let’s go to America. This is our first entry about people indigenous to the Americas suffering a disease outbreak. Honestly, I’m afraid that people cared so little that most of this […]

Things Have Always Been Terrible

A series in which I make you feel less lonely, realizing how many other pandemics humans have lived through. Florence Plague of 1417 Now that’s what I call a plague! When I thought pandemic, I thought Europe, olden times, and complete ignorance of how diseases spread. If you’ve been waiting for a CLASSIC plague, this […]

Things Have Always Been Terrible

A series in which I make you feel less lonely, realizing how many other pandemics humans have lived through. Philippine Beriberi Epidemic of 1901-1902 and 1909 We’ve got a new disease today! Beriberi. To me it sounds like someone talking to a kid in a wubba wubba voice, “Is that your bearie-wearie?” But no. Beriberi […]

Things Have Always Been Terrible

A series in which I make you feel less lonely, realizing how many other pandemics humans have lived through. Japanese Smallpox Epidemic of 735-737 Are you afraid of dogs? Are you afraid of the color red? Have you ever been soothed by a lion dance? Have you considered that you might be a smallpox virus? […]