The Pandemic: 1918-1920

The 1919 Pandemic or Spanish Flu, lasted from January 1918 through December 1920. It was believed to be of avian origin with the location of origin unknown.

It was dubbed the Spanish Flu due to Spain’s neutrality in World War I. The Virus occurred during the World War I time frame.

The Flu infected 500 million people worldwide with a 10% estimated death toll of 50 million. 25% of the world’s population was infected with 99% dying under the age of 65. The virus ravaged the immune system of young adults.

A quick death occurred for most infected with the virus. Illness began in the a.m. with the individual sick by noon, and dead by nightfall. If death did not occur early bacterial complications such as pneumonia would cause death.

Transmission was spread through returning soldiers which lead to the virus’ explosion worldwide.

These Pandemics have an interesting numerical sequence:

1919-2020-2121????

Following is a poem written in 1869 and reprinted during the Pandemic by Kathleen O’Mara.

And the people stayed home.
And read books, and listened, and rested,
and exercised, and made art, and played games,
and learned new ways of being, and were still.
And listened more deeply.
Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows.
And the people began to think differently. And the people healed.
And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways,
the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed,
and the people joined together again,
they grieved their losses, and made new choices,
and dreamed new images,
and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully,
as they had been healed.

Something to think about. Thanks, Kathleen

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