Posted on Aug 25, 2021
How the Columbian Exchange Brought Globalization—And Disease
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https://www.history.com/news/columbian-exchange-impact-diseases?cmpid=email-hist-inside-history-2021-0 [login to see] 1&om_rid=&~campaign=hist-inside-history-2021-0825
It should be no secret to anyone on RP who has paid attention, that I have a fascination with history. Thus, it may come as no surprise that the politicization of history has been particularly disturbing to me. Pre-Columbian America had experienced many exchanges with the Western world and this appears to be just one more attempt to vilify Christopher Columbus. Well, maybe "attempt" isn't the correct word inasmuch as the vilification of Columbus is a fait accompli.
The first extra-American explorers arrived with a fairly lavish arsenal of diseases to unleash on the isolated members of American native populations that had been cutoff from their roots when the land bridges they crossed from Eurasia disappeared beneath the waves, diseases that had decimated Eurasian populations subsequent to the departure of those who conquered and settled in the Americas. It was then time for them to decimate the native Americans.
Sadly, the native Americans didn't have the least understanding of who or what was attacking them, nor the science to explain microbial infections. They didn't have even the crudest of defenses, isolation of those infected (otherwise known as quarantine). What excuse have we?
When the AIDs virus first appeared we eschewed quarantine for fear of offending the gay community, and thus condemned many of them to their graves. Once again, we chose the risk of death over quarantine and here we are again. Are we any smarter than those indigenous Americans of yore? I suspect that if they had the simple tool of quarantine, they would have used it. Don't you? What the hell is wrong with us?
It should be no secret to anyone on RP who has paid attention, that I have a fascination with history. Thus, it may come as no surprise that the politicization of history has been particularly disturbing to me. Pre-Columbian America had experienced many exchanges with the Western world and this appears to be just one more attempt to vilify Christopher Columbus. Well, maybe "attempt" isn't the correct word inasmuch as the vilification of Columbus is a fait accompli.
The first extra-American explorers arrived with a fairly lavish arsenal of diseases to unleash on the isolated members of American native populations that had been cutoff from their roots when the land bridges they crossed from Eurasia disappeared beneath the waves, diseases that had decimated Eurasian populations subsequent to the departure of those who conquered and settled in the Americas. It was then time for them to decimate the native Americans.
Sadly, the native Americans didn't have the least understanding of who or what was attacking them, nor the science to explain microbial infections. They didn't have even the crudest of defenses, isolation of those infected (otherwise known as quarantine). What excuse have we?
When the AIDs virus first appeared we eschewed quarantine for fear of offending the gay community, and thus condemned many of them to their graves. Once again, we chose the risk of death over quarantine and here we are again. Are we any smarter than those indigenous Americans of yore? I suspect that if they had the simple tool of quarantine, they would have used it. Don't you? What the hell is wrong with us?
How the Columbian Exchange Brought Globalization—And Disease
Posted from history.comPosted in these groups: 
American History
Quarantine
American History Quarantine
Posted >1 y ago
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The HIV/AIDS virus is a bloodborne pathogen and not communicable unless there is blood to blood contact. The incubation period for HIV can range from 9 months to 20 years. Quarantine isn't going to do anything for AIDS. Not the right tool.
You can't get right-wingers to wear simple masks to reduce aerosol dissemination and minimize spread. What do you think your chances are of enforcing an actual, no kidding quarantine?
You can't get right-wingers to wear simple masks to reduce aerosol dissemination and minimize spread. What do you think your chances are of enforcing an actual, no kidding quarantine?
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CPT Jack Durish
Thank you for the practical demonstration of how anyone who even suggested quarantine to suppress the spread of AIDS is vilified. I'm sure the countless members of the gay community who suffered and died as a result thank you for your concern
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MSgt Steve Sweeney
CPT Jack Durish - Your deeply held concern and passion for the "gay community" is duly noted.
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