My Take

 

 

In the 1300s the Bubonic plague was transmitted by fleas living on rats along the Silk Road and wiped out about half of the population of areas it where it was transmitted. People in the 1300s reacted in many ways to what we see with Covid-19. The range of reactions are vast from helping others, denial, and drinking.

 

Much like the 1300s we are at a pivotal time in history.

 

The Bubonic plague transformed medieval European societies. At the turn of the 14^th century, Europe had a feudal order system. It was a highly extractive system.

 

Due to the high mortality rate, the scarcity of labor shook the foundations of feudal order. Peasants in England and other parts of Western Europe demanded change and worked to obtain pay increases.

 

Before the plague Eastern Europe and Western Europe had very similar extractive systems and cultures. But in the decades after, both regions drifted in different directions. Western Europe small shifts after the plague continued to gain momentum and created a more inclusive labor market and society.

 

The reason I am writing about this is even small values and behaviours that begin during times of crisis have the potential to impact a society for generations. As people of action, Rotary members, we are engaged with our community, and create opportunities for everyone to actively participate in society. During this crisis we are actively working to uplift the most vulnerable, so they are not left behind during this crisis through supporting food, education and other programs.

 

One heart-warming example is the Rotary Club of Singapore supported 500 Sri Lankan students for two months during the lockdown. The students were in urgent need of daily essentials and RCS supplied dry rations, vegetable parcels, and other essentials. Other examples of Rotarians in action include