Today is May 17, 2020. On March 11, 2020 68 days ago The World Health Organization declared covid-19 a pandemic. With over 4.7 million cases and nearly 314,000 deaths the crisis is affecting humans in many ways. Besides the obvious physical threat fear, anxiety and depression have overwhelmed many. Two months ago a world-wide shut down of all non-essential business took place and continues on various levels increasing unemployment, plummeting the world into economic despair and causing many thousands to lose jobs, livelihoods and homes. The devastation is in some ways unimaginable. We will know the total reckoning of the pandemic once the dust has settled and only then will we know the ramifications of our decisions. The last two months have been difficult for everyone. And as humanity struggles for sanity and a return to normalcy sides are being taken. On one side, people (a majority of small-business owners and right-wing fanatics) are protesting the closures and restrictions levied on them. On the other side are people, apprehensive of the movement to reopen, are fearful of an increase in infections. The truth is, only time will tell.
As I was looking through emails today I found an article written about one of the first, if not the first person to blog about a pandemic. Samuel Pepys (pronounced peeps), a member of parliament and the Royal Society, wrote a personal diary (so not quite a blog) for ten years during the 1660's. Part of the diary speaks about his living through the Great Plague of London in 1665. Fascinating to read because Samuel knew very little information and was quite unsure of the future. He easily could have fled London as many aristocrats did, but he chose to stay. He had a job to do at the Admiralty as well as a inquisitive mind. He roamed about the town at various hours noting what he saw and heard.
Some of what he saw was horrifying (as is the case in 2020) and some similar to the mundane yet personal decisions we are pondering (should you get a haircut). In his writings, he did his best to live life the best way possible under the circumstances and showed courage while doing it.
One difference is, during his time plagues often came and went so the plague of 1665 does not dominate his log. The feeling of dread was not new as the outcome of plagues were somewhat familiar. He discusses a new suit and dinner with friends, loss of neighbors and his unhappy marriage. When the plague finally hits close to the vest it is reality settling in as his favorite pubs are boarded up, and lifelong friends and recent acquaintances perish form the disease.
On one such occasion, the driver of his coach suddenly stopped and told Pepys he felt ill. Samuel quickly hopped aboard another coach and felt sympathy for the poor fellow who may have very well been sick with the plague (I found these notes interesting mostly due to the lack of precautions taken by Pepys). Although, as the summer proceeded death totals rose and Samuel "feared how a man can escape having a share with others in it, for which the good lord bless me or make me fitted to receive it." Still, his only prevention tactic is to avoid certain streets and neighborhoods. Oddly, amidst the chaos and death, he attends a wedding a claims it to be a highlight of his life! (In this current time we see there has been occasions where people have tested the poison) The plague of 1665 was deemed the worst of that century and saw in the course of seven months nearly 1/4 the population fall to the plague. Numbers are not exact as the great fire of London, just a year later, destroyed many records. The fire also killed many rodents who were guilty of carrying the disease. As Pepys saw bodies piled on the streets and much loss of life he remained stoic and continued his journal and continued living in the city. In a few short years after the plague the city was rebuilt and soon became the powerful capital we know it to be today. And Samuel Pepys lived through it all and with a good nature about it, brandishing his positive attitude as his spiritual weapon. Take heed friends and find the will to move on each day with a joy for living even in solitude and among the meager times we know these days.
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