The Black Plague

During the years of 1348 to 1350 CE in Europe, the Black Plague was so devastating it was seen as the Apocalypse, the disclosure of the hidden. Records have stated that victims died in almost three days. "Memento Mori", or reminder of death, became a central theme through European Art. Those who faced and suffered from the plague became familiar with this theme. It took the lives of hundreds of millions through infected rats and fleas. It is difficult to predict how our society would cope with a bubonic plague today. It's easy to just say that it would be cured immediately because of the advances in medicine over the last 100 years. However, the plague could spread faster with the advances in transportation our society possesses. The media could also underplay the full extent of the breakout so people wouldn't panic and flee to other places with the infected. The full disclosure of the seriousness of the breakout would cause a mass panic unseen before in human history. The population of the world today is probably ten times the size of the world 600 years ago. Therefore, cities are more densely populated now. This also would allow for a faster spread of the plague. The topic of death is one that people tend to avoid but it is important to remember that our time in this world is limited and we should not take our days for granted. Those who survived the plague most certainly had their outlooks on life changed, perhaps for the better. They could have taken this opportunity to improve their lifestyles through religion or spirituality.