THREAD (1)
17th century England was very familiar with the Black Death; it had been endemic in London for centuries, and regularly erupted with thousands of deaths each year.
In the year 1665, the Great Plague of London began.
Also in 1665, a furious protest document was printed.
17th century England was very familiar with the Black Death; it had been endemic in London for centuries, and regularly erupted with thousands of deaths each year.
In the year 1665, the Great Plague of London began.
Also in 1665, a furious protest document was printed.
(2)
The title:
"THE SHUTTING UP Infected Houses As it is practised in ENGLAND Soberly Debated."
It was basically an anti-lockdown document listing "reasons" why quarantines were unnecessary, even harmful, during this epidemic of Black Death.
Some of them may sound familiar.
The title:
"THE SHUTTING UP Infected Houses As it is practised in ENGLAND Soberly Debated."
It was basically an anti-lockdown document listing "reasons" why quarantines were unnecessary, even harmful, during this epidemic of Black Death.
Some of them may sound familiar.
(3)
It opens by saying "our breath may be infectious, our words are innocent", and asks that readers "add not sorrow to affliction".
The "First Reason against shutting Men up for the Plague" is simply:
"Were Men (those sociable Creatures) made thus, every Man to live by himself?"
It opens by saying "our breath may be infectious, our words are innocent", and asks that readers "add not sorrow to affliction".
The "First Reason against shutting Men up for the Plague" is simply:
"Were Men (those sociable Creatures) made thus, every Man to live by himself?"
(4)
Reason 1: Humans are innately sociable.
The document praises prior measures taken to combat the plague: namely martyrs "not sparing themselves to visit the sick of the Plague, attend them diligently, though it cost them their Lives" and their "Piety and strength of Faith".
Reason 1: Humans are innately sociable.
The document praises prior measures taken to combat the plague: namely martyrs "not sparing themselves to visit the sick of the Plague, attend them diligently, though it cost them their Lives" and their "Piety and strength of Faith".
(5)
Next, "shutting up of infected Houses, which you think would stop the Infection, spreads it".
The reason?
"So dreadful it is to be shut up from all comfort and society" that they( flee to other towns: "we infect not our next Neighbours, but we carry it from place to place."
Next, "shutting up of infected Houses, which you think would stop the Infection, spreads it".
The reason?
"So dreadful it is to be shut up from all comfort and society" that they( flee to other towns: "we infect not our next Neighbours, but we carry it from place to place."
(6)
The logic being the lockdowns are so restrictive, they are compelled to break the rules of lockdown, and instead of *merely* infecting their neighbours, they spread the plague to other towns.
Like Dominic Cummings claiming his trip to Barnard Castle is the result of lockdown.
The logic being the lockdowns are so restrictive, they are compelled to break the rules of lockdown, and instead of *merely* infecting their neighbours, they spread the plague to other towns.
Like Dominic Cummings claiming his trip to Barnard Castle is the result of lockdown.
(7)
The document then claims: "What with the freedome of the Ayre, it pleased God that the Sickness which had by shutting up, a Decrease never before known".
In other words, it suggests allowing plague victims to mingle with the healthy outside lowers the risk of infection.
The document then claims: "What with the freedome of the Ayre, it pleased God that the Sickness which had by shutting up, a Decrease never before known".
In other words, it suggests allowing plague victims to mingle with the healthy outside lowers the risk of infection.
(8)
Next, the document posits that the misery of lockdown kills *more* people than the plague.
Literally. The Black Death "may have killed its thousands, but shutting up hath killed its ten thousands".
Reason? "The healthiest men", unable to socialise, "contract a Melancholy".
Next, the document posits that the misery of lockdown kills *more* people than the plague.
Literally. The Black Death "may have killed its thousands, but shutting up hath killed its ten thousands".
Reason? "The healthiest men", unable to socialise, "contract a Melancholy".
(9)
The document fears that the disease is angered by confinement: "imagine Infection itself penned into a rage and fury."
Then it points out "Wind cleareth the Infection of the House; would it not likewise clear that of the people were they admitted to an open and free air?"
The document fears that the disease is angered by confinement: "imagine Infection itself penned into a rage and fury."
Then it points out "Wind cleareth the Infection of the House; would it not likewise clear that of the people were they admitted to an open and free air?"
(10)
The page goes on to argue that the economic harm caused by quarantine, namely "obstructing Trade at home, and leaving other thousands without any employment", is a fate worse than contracting the plague.
At this point, I remind you: they're talking about the Black Death.
The page goes on to argue that the economic harm caused by quarantine, namely "obstructing Trade at home, and leaving other thousands without any employment", is a fate worse than contracting the plague.
At this point, I remind you: they're talking about the Black Death.
"For conclusion I shall onely say that a liberty of fresh Aire, and access of such as are willing to visit their sickfriends, may be so regulated as not to spread the Infection, and I am sure will save the lives of Hundreds, who are little better then Murther'd, or buryed alive."
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