Black Death and how to improve people's health after it GEM History

 Today, I'm going to talk about how people could have improved their health after the Black Death. But first, let's understand what the Black Death was all about.

What was the Black Death?

The Black Death was a devastating global epidemic and pandemic of the bubonic plague. It struck Europe and Asia during the mid-1300s. It originated in Asia. As it travelled along the Silk Road, it had reached Europe via Crimean Peninsula. The plague was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, often transmitted through the bites of infected rat fleas. It was a period marked by immense social, economic, and religious upheavals, The disease killed an estimated 75-200 million people, obliterating about 30-60% of Europe's population at the time. The Black Death had a huge impact on Europe's history, changing the course of its socio-economic structures and ultimately speeding up the ending of the Feudal system.

In summary;

• The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in history. It's thought to have started in Asia and spread along the Silk Road, reaching Europe via the Crimean Peninsula. This plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people. Accounting for about 30-60% of Europe's population at the time.

How to Improve / protect people’s health 

(during/after the Black Death)

When I read the GEM, I saw this sentence, 

“So much dung and filth of the garbage and entrails be (are) cast and put into ditches, rivers, and other waters... that the air there is grown greatly corrupt and infected…”

Using this information, I’ve created 5 points and steps they could have done to reduce the spreading of the plague:

• Establish Structured Waste Disposal:

Step 1: Identify suitable locations for waste disposal sites, it’s better if it’s away from residential areas and water sources.

Step 2: Add community rules prohibiting the disposal of waste in rivers, ditches, and other water bodies.

Step 3: Set up a regular schedule for collecting waste. Get people from the community involved to help take the waste to the places we've picked for throwing it away.

• Protect and Purify Water Sources:

Step 1: Inspect all community water sources, such as wells and rivers, for signs of contamination.

Step 2: Build simple protective structures, like fences or stone enclosures, around these water sources to prevent direct contamination.

Step 3: Conduct workshops to teach methods of water purification, such as boiling water for a duration of time or construct basic filters to filter the water.

• Launch Public Hygiene Campaigns:

Step 1: Create informative advertisements and posters about personal hygiene, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness in disease prevention.

Step 2: Organize community meetings and workshops to distribute these materials and demonstrate hygiene practices. Also to make sure those who are participating in the meetings aren’t sick themselves.

Step 3: Start initiatives like 'cleanliness drives' in neighborhoods to encourage regular cleaning of homes and surroundings.

• Regular Public Space Maintenance:

Step 1: Formulate community groups, assigning specific areas to each group for regular cleaning and maintenance.

Step 2: Establish a regular schedule for cleaning public areas, including the removal of waste and ensuring proper drainage to prevent standing water. Like the Waste Disposal one.

Step 3: Set up basic systems for maintaining and clearing drainage channels to ensure they remain effective.

• Set Up Basic Disease Monitoring:

Step 1: Distribute information about common symptoms of these diseases and the importance of early reporting.

Step 2: Designate a local authority or a group responsible for receiving and recording reports of illness.

Step 3: Develop a protocol for isolating ill individuals, such as designating specific areas, buildings for those who are sick, or just to quarantine at home to minimize contact with the healthy population.

In the aftermath of the Black Death, improving public health was crucial. The 5-point plan I just showed, shows key concerns like bad air, dirty areas, inadequate waste disposal, contaminated water sources, and poor hygiene. 

Proper waste disposal reduces waste in living areas, improving air quality and cleanliness. Protecting water sources and educating about water purification ensures a safe water supply. Public hygiene campaigns raise awareness about personal cleanliness, reducing disease spread. Regular cleaning of public spaces prevents them from becoming disease spreading grounds. Finally, monitoring and isolating the sick help control disease outbreaks. If we can implement these measures, we can create a healthier environment, significantly improving public health in a post-pandemic society.

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