Allan Cratsenberg

 

 

Dr. Eileen T. Hinks

 

 

BIO-245X Epidemics and Society

 

 

Final Reflective Essay

 

 

Help Received: Artifacts previously written

 

 

Certified By:

 

 

Introduction:

Throughout the course we talked about relevant information that I believe everyone should know about for a basic knowledge of what is in the word, referring to diseases and viruses. I learned a great deal about various epidemics that have happened throughout history and ones that are ongoing today. As well as relating the epidemics to society how they reacted or currently react when they are faced with these problems. I think this is extremely useful class to take and learn from because it gives a basic knowledge on how diseases are spread and why they spread making you more educated about each topic. During the class, we wrote eight artifacts which revolve around different epidemics throughout history. Each of the artifacts dealt with one major epidemic and go into detail how and why it spread along with how societies dealt with it.

 

In what ways were various societies changed by the disease epidemics that occurred throughout history? (Artifact 1 & 2)

One specific way societies were changed by the epidemics was because of globalization. This specific action increased infectious diseases significantly. This is because when people begin to travel around the world and move to different areas. They are then introduced to many new infectious diseases that they have never yet encountered. As well as the people moving from an area bringing an infectious disease and them spreading it to a new region because the home bodies are not used to this specific disease. The main diseases that followed along with the globalization is the black plague this disease spread like wild fire. This made entire societies change their daily life. It basically put the entire society to a halt. People were afraid to go out and be amongst other people. This was especially for church and school. Both factors left a great deal of people infected so society was afraid to attend both yet they knew they should go still. As well as families being splitting up hoping to run away from the plague when other members of the family were getting this. The economy was even effected by the plague because people were not buying things as if they once were and since there was a great drop in the population. I believe this amongst all other plagues stood out most to me and really changed my outlook on what an epidemic could do to an entire society.

 

What impact did societies have on the emergence of epidemics? (Artifact 2)

One specific case with the black plague re-emerged in Madagascar in the 1990’s and became an epidemic in 2009 people began to act the ways they once did in the early history of humans. A sense of fear was occurring for everyone’s lives the social factors were very similar to what they were in history. People stopped going out and doing their everyday things that needed to be done and going into largely crowded areas. The poor people were the first to be infected and spread the virus the most because poor populations usually tend to be denser than the richer. I personally believe that this would be the case for all of the epidemics that reoccur in the present or future. People will react the same as in the past but will be a bit more educated about the diseases and information.

 

How might our modern society be impacted both by established and by emerging infectious diseases? (Artifact 6)

Our society can be impacted by established and emerging diseases in multiple specific ways. Firstly, established diseases such as Tuberculosis this disease is capable of spreading at a very rapid rate and kill many people extremely fast. Society would be devastated if this particular disease once again became an epidemic the entire world would be in a crisis. This is because how devastating and fast the disease moves throughout the body. In 2015 research was taken and 10.4 million cases of tuberculosis were identified. Also, 1.8 million of them people died meaning 34,000 people died each week from TB. This is an ongoing problem for society and the world as a whole. This will impact many things further than just families, one example being the economy. It will go down because less people want to go out to buy things in infected areas. Emerging diseases will also impact modern society because we are not educated yet about these diseases. Making time an extremely important factor depending on the severity of the specific disease. If the disease happens to be very lethal studies and research to find a cure and vaccination will have to be done. Until then the disease will spread and effect society in all angles devastating humans all over the world.

 

Conversely, what role do today’s societies have in promoting the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases? (Previous readings)

Societies have many roles to promote the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases. One specific example, I would say the use and consumption of pesticides. Although pesticides help with bugs and animals consuming the plants, but this is toxic to humans and can potentially have many negative effects. They possibly effect human reproduction systems, the immune system and nervous system which protects people from getting these diseases. Another example would be genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods cause organ damage, some of the DNA inserted into the food can be transferred to the DNA inside of humans. This also influences the immune system as pesticides did. They both promote the emergence and re-emergence of diseases throughout society. This could possibly cause the re-emergence of many harmful diseases throughout the world but continue to be used.

Conclusion

To conclude this paper, I believe this class has been the most useful and most needed classes I have taken at VMI. The education on what epidemics are out there and how it has and will continue to effect societies are a huge part in history. As well as good knowledge to know how to prevent these diseases or what to expect when you get one of the following diseases.