RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Comparing CORONAVIRUS and other pandemics…

The BLACK DEATH

We are living days of death and illness because of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, this
is not the first time that mankind has to face a dangerous pandemic. Several times in
History we have been challenged by small but harmful viruses which have undermined
the population.
In the middle 14th century the world was struck by the worst historical pandemic in
terms of loss of lives: the BLACK DEATH. Now, let’s have a look at it from an
Historical point of view.

Some instructions to take into account:

1. Search information about the Black Death using the links provided below.
● Find Out History. The Black Death
● The Black Death pdf
● What made the Black Death so deadly?

2. Find out the essential information and write it down in the table below and compare it with
the information you know about the Coronavirus.
3. Write a short text, comparing what you have learnt about the Black Death with the
situation we are living now.
 The Black Death
The Black Death happened The coronavirus happened
When did it happen? in 1348- 1350 in 2020-2022
The Black Death it
Where did it happen? happened in Asia Oriental,
and in Europe
75 - 200 millions
Number of dead people deaths
was caused by the
Origin bacterium Yersinia pestis
was in the body of the flea
and the flea passed the
bacteria to the humans.
Violent headache
Symptoms Chils
vomit
Lumps under the arms
Black boils
Spots over the body
Lot of people died. But the
How did it affect the people who survived had a
people who survived? better life, there were
better job opportunities,
longer life expectancy,
they earned more money
and it was more food so
people were more healthy.
Coronavirus
In all the world
Between 6,8-10 millions
deaths
Bats were the origin of this
virus, which infected
Himalayan cats that in turn
transmitted it to ferrets and
raccoon dogs sold in the
Guangdong market in
China.
Fever or chills
Cough
Difficulty breathing (feeling
short of breath)
Fatigue
Muscle and body aches
Headache
Recent loss of smell or taste
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
It leaves the survivors
with serious sequelae that
affect the heart, brain and
lungs. but it has also
helped some in their
immune system.
 The Black Death left a
legacy of physical and
emotional devastation on
Other information
the people who lived
through it. The high
mortality rate, the
painful symptoms,
caused immense
suffering. In addition, the
pandemic had lasting
consequences on the
economy, society and
psychology of the time.
The coronavirus had a
negative impact on the
mental health and
emotional well-being of
people, especially those
who have gone through
the disease or lost family.
In addition, measures of
confinement and social
distancing have led to
social isolation and an
increase in mental health
problems.

To fight against the coronavirus, we have hospitals and doctors who are using medicines and scientists
looking for a vaccine.
As you have seen, millions of people died during the 14th century because of the Black Death. At that
time, nobody knew the origin of the plague. Some thought that it was God punishing them because of
their sins; some other thought that the illness was in the air…
It is difficult to heal people when you don’t know anything about the illness they suffer, don't you think?
Despite the difficulties, medieval doctors tried to find a solution. Have a look at the video Weird
plague “cures” for the Black Death
There you’ll find several “cures” that were used at that time: bloodletting, sweating, bathing in urine,
whipping yourself…. Pick up three of these “cures” and write a short description, in the table below.

Cures Description

Bloodletting Consisted in taking all the blood out of the body

Sweating Consisted in making the people sweat to take out the

corruption

Bathe in urine Consisted in bathing in urine as it was considered to have

healing properties
Now you have a lot of information regarding the Black Death and the coronavirus.
Write a short text comparing them.

Text: comparing the Black Death with the Coronavirus

This tasc consists of the differences about the black death and the coronavirus
and all the information about the two epidemics. The Black Death and the
coronavirus (COVID-19) are two of the worst diseases in human history, albeit
(where did you learn that word?) at different times. By comparing the two
epidemics, we can gain valuable insights (and this expression?) into how they
affect people, health systems, and responses around the world.

The Black Death that spread through Europe, Asia and Africa in the 15th century
was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, spread by fleas infesting black rats.
Coronavirus, became a global pandemic in 2019, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (this
is not an information that appears in your table) virus transmitted through bats,
in Wuhan China.
These epidemics caused suffering and death. The Black Death killed between 7.5
and 200 million people, resulting in a massive population decline. COVID-19 has
killed millions of people worldwide (6.8-10 million deaths), although it has not
yet reached the level of the Black Death.
In terms of symptoms, the plague had these symptoms: high fever and flu-like
symptoms, while COVID-19 had symptoms affecting breathing, such as fever,
cough and shortness of breath.

The Black Death left a legacy of physical and emotional devastation on the
people who lived through it. The high mortality rate, the painful symptoms,
caused immense suffering. In addition, the pandemic had lasting consequences
on the economy, society and psychology of the time.
The coronavirus had a negative impact on the mental health and emotional
well-being of people, especially those who have gone through the disease or lost
family. In addition, measures of confinement and social distancing have led to
social isolation and an increase in mental health problems.

With the black death a lot of people died. But the people who survived had a
better life, because there were less workers and there were better job
opportunities, longer life expectancy, they earned more money and it was more
food so people were more healthy. And the covid leaves the survivors with serious
 sequelae that affect the heart, brain and lungs. but it has also helped some in their
immune system.

And this tasc finishes with a reflection.

I think you should be grateful for the luck we've had to be able to go back to
normal lives and have all that we have. These words in green are normal mistakes
that people of your age and level normally commit when writing an English text. It
is not worthy asking the IT tools to write your text

To know more about.

Do you recognize these images?

However, we are not the first people wearing masks as a

protection. As you have seen in some images, doctors were
wearing strange masks. They were used to protect themselves
against the plague.

In the video below you will discover the function of the whole dress. Complete the
table: Why Plague Doctors wore strange masks

Part of the dress Function

Mask and Beak

Big stick

Gloves

OPTIONAL.
CHALLENGE. Probably you are impressed by this fantastic mask and costume.
Perhaps you would like to have one. If that’s the case, go to the next link, follow the
steps and create your own Plague Doctor Mask.

DON’T FORGET TO SEND US A PICTURE!!