Epidemics are an awful challenge for any community. They not only cause the loss of life, but also the quality of life for those who are suffering through illness. Epidemics can also shake the economic and social structure of the societies where they occur.
However, like most things, there is a silver lining to the changes that epidemics bring upon. Isolation mixed with desperation can really push the boundaries of what human beings think they can achieve, and throughout history, artists and scientists and inventors alike have made discoveries and created masterpieces when under quarantine and far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and society.
Shakespear is a famous and apt example of what happens when a genius of language and storytelling has nowhere to be and nothing much to do except writing. On two separate occasions when England was experiencing a plague outbreak, he ended up writing epic poems and producing some of his best literary work.
Human history is fascinating, and these instances of how tragedy can lead to innovations and change the way we live is a fascinating aspect of it. This infographic provides an interesting summary of what some of the biggest epidemics in the Western world have led to, and how they changed society.
Infographic by: https://www.topmastersinpublichealth.com/