Introduction
The occurrences of plagues and pandemics can be traced way back to medieval times. COVID-19 is a virus infection produced by SARS-CoV-2 that causes what physicians refer to as a respiratory infection and can impact an individual’s upper respiratory tract or the lower respiratory tract (Ciotti et al., 2020). It spreads similarly to other viruses, primarily through human-to-human interaction. SARS- CoV-2 is among the seven coronavirus infections responsible for severe illnesses such as sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) (Ciotti et al., 2020). The other group of viruses are responsible for most colds we experience throughout the year but pose no substantial harm to disease-free individuals. It is primarily thought that the Black Plague was triggered by influenza, which is generated by infestation with the bacteria Yersinia pestis (Esterwood, E., & Saeed, 2020). Genetic investigations conducted in the modern era reveal that the variant of Y. pestis established during the Black Death is identical to all currently circulating Y. pestis types known to cause infection in individuals (Esterwood, E., & Saeed, 2020). This paper discusses the social, economic, and political factors contributing to COVID-19 in the domestic and international spheres and connects COVID-19 and the Black Plague.
Factors that Contributed to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Domestic and International
Social elements are those components in individuals’ environments that affect their daily lives. One of the social factors that might have contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic domestically and globally include unavoidable public gatherings. In the majority of the countries, there are several inescapable public assemblies that civilization bequeathed from its forefathers. Numerous inevitable public interactions include funeral rituals, cultural festivals, and religious gatherings. For instance, in China, the COVID-19 epidemic was exacerbated by its proximity to the Chinese New Year, a period of reunification in China. This season, returning to one’s homeland is not exclusive to internal migrants; it is also undertaken by those who have established themselves in new locations. Economically, most African and Middle Eastern communities live in extreme poverty, which results in a substandard standard of living and increased vulnerability to contagious diseases such as the new COVID-19 pandemic. Economic variables include the lack of or insufficient access to personal protective equipment (PPE), substantial family sizes with substandard housing, residents’ connectivity to earn sustenance, and engagement in inherently risky labor conditions.
The lack of safety components exposes individuals to the virus and are just a few of the main determinants that lead to the increased risk of illness in society. Pereira & Oliveira (2020) demonstrated that those economically disadvantaged were particularly prone to new coronavirus transmission during the epidemic. Thus, robust and ongoing involvement is critical to assisting the impoverished during the epidemic; else, a tragic outcome will occur. Since people knew little about the COVID-19 virus, effective and integrated governance is critical for prevention and management. A recent investigation concluded that the COVID-19 crisis increased the danger of political turmoil (Nachega et al., 2021). Politically, the pandemic has a very high probability of wreaking havoc on unstable and conflict-affected governments. Institutional volatility is self-evident and results in substandard care provision with minimal management (Nachega et al., 2021). The political leadership’s lack of conviction to contain the epidemic, the medical sector’s lack of cooperation, increased aggression and demonstrations, and other related elements added to the virus’s propagation.
The Connection between the Black Plague and COVID-19
Both infection occurrences fit the criteria for an epidemic: a unique microorganism that is highly infectious and pathogenic, regionally extensive and rapidly spreading, and with low population resistance. In all cases, key causes include contemporary civilizations’ active worldwide relationships, climatological transformations, and people’s exploitation of resources. During both outbreaks, individuals learned about the virus during and after it propagated, and many pursued immediate solutions and cures out of despair. Many, in particular, chose a segment of the population to blame, relying on pre-existing preconceptions to justify themselves. Consequently, the influence of both epidemics was strongly impacted by pre-existing income inequalities and disparities. Historically and currently, some individuals and groups have gone to tremendous lengths to assist one another. Additionally, whereas COVID-19 is a human pathogen, the Yersinia pestis bacteria is an enzootic pathogen that impacts humanity and other species. As a result, the plague becomes more challenging to detect, as mammals do not provide documentation.
Conclusion
COVID-19 is a virus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 that causes a respiratory illness, as defined by clinicians. The Black Plague is thought to have been spread mostly by influenza, triggered by a Yersinia pestis strain. Unavoidable public meetings are one of the societal variables that may have led to the COVID-19 epidemic on a national and worldwide scale. There are numerous inevitable public gatherings that civilization bequeathed to its predecessors in most countries. Economically, most African and Middle Eastern communities are impoverished, resulting in a substandard level of life and increased exposure to infectious diseases such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Economic determinants include a lack of or insufficient access to personal protective equipment (PPE), large family sizes in substandard housing, people’s ability to earn a living, and participation in intrinsically dangerous labor circumstances. Politically, the pandemic has a high likelihood of inflicting havoc on fragile and conflict-affected states. The absence of governmental will to contain the outbreak, the medical community’s lack of collaboration, increased violence and confrontations, and other factors all contributed to the virus’s spread.
References
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