The 1918-20 Flu and Covid 19 Pandemic Economic Impacts - Coursework Example

Introduction

The 1918-20 influenza flu and Covid 19 are global pandemics that significantly impact the American economy and the political system. Primarily the 1918 influenza epidemic popularly called the Spanish flu (since it was reported first in the Spanish magazine) occurred in three waves. The first influenza wave occurred in March 1918, as well as throughout the same year. The wave out broke at a military camp in a farm estate in Kansas. Later the flu spread with U.S. troops throughout the state and overseas through crowded trains and ships. The flu moved quickly in congested Europe camps and to the East as well as South Asia. This first wave was a minor outbreak and not a major killer. The overwhelming second and third waves appeared at the end of 1918 and the beginning of 1919.

According to Cascella, Rajnik, Cuomo, Dulebohn, & Di Napoli (2020), the Covid 19 disease is caused by a type of coronavirus called SARS-COV-2. Chinese authorities recognized human with Covid 19 symptoms in December 2019. Mainly, the earliest cases of Covid 19 are linked to Wuhan, and the disease has since spread to the rest of the countries in the world. Researchers are uncovering the coronavirus cause, but the main suspected origin of the virus is pangolins and horse bats sold in the Wuhan wet market. The Centers for disease control (CDC) has set measures to prevent and minimize the spread of the disease, such as prevention of public gathering, washing hands regularly with running water, avoiding shaking of hands, quarantine and social distancing.

As a result, the 1918-20 flu and the Covid 19 have adversely affected the American economy and the political system. Both the flu and Covid 19 have caused many deaths worldwide (Brainerd, 2003). In the influenza flu, most deaths were among people between the ages of 15-40, while in Covid 19, the most affected are those above 58 years. In both pandemics, the respiratory system was affected, and thus, most deaths resulted from breathing difficulties. More so, both diseases had economic consequences.

First of all, the diseases caused the temporary closure of U.S cities. As in major cities in the U.S., businesses were shut down, sporting activities canceled, private and public gathering banned to prevent and minimize the spread of the diseases (Gormsen, 2020). As a result, the Americans being the producers of most products used worldwide, could not manufacture products for exports (Brainerd, 2003). Overall, these diseases reduced the revenue earned from trading by the American government.

Besides, both diseases caused an increase in the security system and labor shortages. There were measures to curb the movement of people with flu. During this Covid 19 epidemic, there are security measures to ensure people are tested whether they have a fever, which is a symptom of the patients. More so, there has been evidence of labor shortages among the two diseases due to strict travel permits and security measures. As a result, the labor shortage caused low production in the industrial sector and low revenue. Overall, both the Spanish flu as well as Covid 19 has adversely affected the American economy.

Similarities between Spanish Flu and Covid 19 Virus

As Covid 19 evolves, there are some comparisons drawn to the Spanish flu. Primarily, both are contagious diseases and affect the respiratory system (Liu et al., 2020). Besides, there are vital differences between the two diseases and the way they are spread. These similarities and differences have essential implications for public health. Overall, these results can be used to create measures that need to be implemented in response to every virus on how they are spread.

First of all, there is a similarity between Covid 19 and the Spanish flu. Both diseases affect the respiratory system (Lin et al., 2020). In severe cases, both diseases result in death. Additionally, they are contagious and can be transmitted through contacts and droplets. For this reason, the public health put measures for control and prevention, such as ensuring there is hand hygiene through washing hands using soaps and alcoholic sanitizers and more so respiratory etiquette (people are required to cough into elbows or use disposable tissue papers. Further, people are required to maintain social distancing, prevent the public gathering, and quarantine themselves as effective measures to prevent the spread the infections. It is also essential to note that there is no particular cure for both diseases.

Differences between Covid 19 and influenza viruses

There are differences between the two pandemics. Some of the differences are biological and also in the spread of the diseases. The new coronavirus and influenza contain genetic material in the form of RNA. Normally, RNA viruses accumulate many mutations as they multiply (Liu et al., 2020). These mutations result in notable changes such as the species it infects; it could also become more or less deadly or spread more or less easily. One notable difference is that influenza has a distinct seasonality where it circulates more during the winter (Liu et al., 2020). With the Covid 19, the future peaks are not likely to be driven by natural changes in virulence resulting from mutation.

First, there is variation in the velocity of the transmission of Covid 19 and Spanish. According to Lin et al. (2020), the 1918-20 flu has a shorter incubation period and a shorter serial interval than the Covid 19 virus. Bi et al. assert that the serial interval for Covid 19 virus has been estimated to be 5-6 days, whereas for Spanish flu virus is three days. Thus, the Spanish flu spreads more rapidly compared to Covid 19.

In addition, in the Spanish flue, children are the essential drivers of transmission. On the other hand, in Covid 19, data shows that kids are not as affected by the coronavirus than adults. More so, transmission research in China indicates that kids are mostly infected by adults but not vice versa.

Conclusion

Overall, every epidemic is different and has a global impact. The two epidemics adversely affect not only the American economy but the global economy. Thus, nations should not wake up to diseases threats when there has been a big and uncontrollable outbreak. During the initial outbreak of disease, there should be a mobilization of funds, consultation of experts, and government investments in controlling diseases. The international organizations should slowly come into action in controlling and preventing the spread and mobilizing global action.

Political leaders need to take livelihood and equity seriously. There should be measures to stop the spread of contagious diseases since they can be damaging vulnerable populations. The damages can cause devastating impacts on the economy and livelihood. Though viruses may affect any person, their impacts are felt unevenly across the societies. I feel that there is a need to rethink approaches to global epidemics. Governments should put more effort into research and empower doctors so as they can be ready anytime and epidemic erupts. Laboratories should be equipped with up to date technologies for better research.