‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past

Alistair Ritch

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11

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‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past

Alistair Ritch

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Received: 7 April 2022 Accepted: 27 April 2022 Published: 10 May 2022

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Abstract

Background: Scientific advances have ensured that when a clinical syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was detected at the end of 2019, the full genomic sequence of the virus was deciphered and a test for its detection manufactured within weeks. As infection with the virus spread worldwide public health measures had to be introduced to reduce person to person transmission. Even after vaccines effective against the virus were developed, these measures continued to be required. Method: A literature search was performed to identify public health measures that had been implemented throughout history from the arrival of the plague in Europe in the sixth century CE. Results: Quarantine was introduced throughout Mediterranean states in the 14^th century CE to minimise the spread of the plague. The regulations imposed during the Great Plague of London in the 17^th century reveal elements of case detection, lockdown, isolation, social distancing, the restriction of large gatherings and the use a form of personal protective equipment. The plague led to the realisation among physicians that some diseases could spread from person to person and smallpox became recognised as being highly contagious. However, the contagionist view was strongly opposed by those who believed in the miasmic theory of disease and was hotly contested during the sanitary reform of the 19^th century. After mid-century public health measures to prevent the spread of disease concentrated on the management of infected individuals including compulsory isolation for sufferers of smallpox and compulsory removal infected people to hospital. During the smallpox epidemic in Birmingham, UK in the 1870s patients admitted to the workhouse were kept in total isolation and visiting by relatives and friends was strictly prohibited, even when the patient was dying. The erection of extra buildings and the creation of temporary fever wards was necessary to accommodate patients during outbreaks of infectious disease. The technique of introducing smallpox pus into a scratch in the skin was practised in 10^th century China becoming the standard method of inoculation until Jenner introduced the safer method of vaccination using cowpox or vaccinia virus in the early 18^th century. A strong anti-vaccination movement arose at this time and the arguments put forward by the anti-vaxxers were strikingly similar to those of modern-day vaccine opponents. Conclusion: None of the public health measures used to combat COVID-19 are novel and all have their roots in the past.

Published in	European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11
Page(s)	69-75
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Pandemic, COVID-19, Quarantine, Self-isolation, Lockdown

References

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Alistair Ritch. (2022). ‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 10(3), 69-75. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11

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ACS Style

Alistair Ritch. ‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2022, 10(3), 69-75. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11

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AMA Style

Alistair Ritch. ‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past. Eur J Prev Med. 2022;10(3):69-75. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11,
  author = {Alistair Ritch},
  title = {‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {69-75},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20221003.11},
  abstract = {Background: Scientific advances have ensured that when a clinical syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was detected at the end of 2019, the full genomic sequence of the virus was deciphered and a test for its detection manufactured within weeks. As infection with the virus spread worldwide public health measures had to be introduced to reduce person to person transmission. Even after vaccines effective against the virus were developed, these measures continued to be required. Method: A literature search was performed to identify public health measures that had been implemented throughout history from the arrival of the plague in Europe in the sixth century CE. Results: Quarantine was introduced throughout Mediterranean states in the 14th century CE to minimise the spread of the plague. The regulations imposed during the Great Plague of London in the 17th century reveal elements of case detection, lockdown, isolation, social distancing, the restriction of large gatherings and the use a form of personal protective equipment. The plague led to the realisation among physicians that some diseases could spread from person to person and smallpox became recognised as being highly contagious. However, the contagionist view was strongly opposed by those who believed in the miasmic theory of disease and was hotly contested during the sanitary reform of the 19th century. After mid-century public health measures to prevent the spread of disease concentrated on the management of infected individuals including compulsory isolation for sufferers of smallpox and compulsory removal infected people to hospital. During the smallpox epidemic in Birmingham, UK in the 1870s patients admitted to the workhouse were kept in total isolation and visiting by relatives and friends was strictly prohibited, even when the patient was dying. The erection of extra buildings and the creation of temporary fever wards was necessary to accommodate patients during outbreaks of infectious disease. The technique of introducing smallpox pus into a scratch in the skin was practised in 10th century China becoming the standard method of inoculation until Jenner introduced the safer method of vaccination using cowpox or vaccinia virus in the early 18th century. A strong anti-vaccination movement arose at this time and the arguments put forward by the anti-vaxxers were strikingly similar to those of modern-day vaccine opponents. Conclusion: None of the public health measures used to combat COVID-19 are novel and all have their roots in the past.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - ‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past
AU  - Alistair Ritch
Y1  - 2022/05/10
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11
T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP  - 69
EP  - 75
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8230
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11
AB  - Background: Scientific advances have ensured that when a clinical syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was detected at the end of 2019, the full genomic sequence of the virus was deciphered and a test for its detection manufactured within weeks. As infection with the virus spread worldwide public health measures had to be introduced to reduce person to person transmission. Even after vaccines effective against the virus were developed, these measures continued to be required. Method: A literature search was performed to identify public health measures that had been implemented throughout history from the arrival of the plague in Europe in the sixth century CE. Results: Quarantine was introduced throughout Mediterranean states in the 14th century CE to minimise the spread of the plague. The regulations imposed during the Great Plague of London in the 17th century reveal elements of case detection, lockdown, isolation, social distancing, the restriction of large gatherings and the use a form of personal protective equipment. The plague led to the realisation among physicians that some diseases could spread from person to person and smallpox became recognised as being highly contagious. However, the contagionist view was strongly opposed by those who believed in the miasmic theory of disease and was hotly contested during the sanitary reform of the 19th century. After mid-century public health measures to prevent the spread of disease concentrated on the management of infected individuals including compulsory isolation for sufferers of smallpox and compulsory removal infected people to hospital. During the smallpox epidemic in Birmingham, UK in the 1870s patients admitted to the workhouse were kept in total isolation and visiting by relatives and friends was strictly prohibited, even when the patient was dying. The erection of extra buildings and the creation of temporary fever wards was necessary to accommodate patients during outbreaks of infectious disease. The technique of introducing smallpox pus into a scratch in the skin was practised in 10th century China becoming the standard method of inoculation until Jenner introduced the safer method of vaccination using cowpox or vaccinia virus in the early 18th century. A strong anti-vaccination movement arose at this time and the arguments put forward by the anti-vaxxers were strikingly similar to those of modern-day vaccine opponents. Conclusion: None of the public health measures used to combat COVID-19 are novel and all have their roots in the past.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Alistair Ritch

Honorary Research Fellow, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

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Alistair Ritch. (2022). ‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 10(3), 69-75. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11

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ACS Style

Alistair Ritch. ‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2022, 10(3), 69-75. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11

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AMA Style

Alistair Ritch. ‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past. Eur J Prev Med. 2022;10(3):69-75. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11,
  author = {Alistair Ritch},
  title = {‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {69-75},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20221003.11},
  abstract = {Background: Scientific advances have ensured that when a clinical syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was detected at the end of 2019, the full genomic sequence of the virus was deciphered and a test for its detection manufactured within weeks. As infection with the virus spread worldwide public health measures had to be introduced to reduce person to person transmission. Even after vaccines effective against the virus were developed, these measures continued to be required. Method: A literature search was performed to identify public health measures that had been implemented throughout history from the arrival of the plague in Europe in the sixth century CE. Results: Quarantine was introduced throughout Mediterranean states in the 14th century CE to minimise the spread of the plague. The regulations imposed during the Great Plague of London in the 17th century reveal elements of case detection, lockdown, isolation, social distancing, the restriction of large gatherings and the use a form of personal protective equipment. The plague led to the realisation among physicians that some diseases could spread from person to person and smallpox became recognised as being highly contagious. However, the contagionist view was strongly opposed by those who believed in the miasmic theory of disease and was hotly contested during the sanitary reform of the 19th century. After mid-century public health measures to prevent the spread of disease concentrated on the management of infected individuals including compulsory isolation for sufferers of smallpox and compulsory removal infected people to hospital. During the smallpox epidemic in Birmingham, UK in the 1870s patients admitted to the workhouse were kept in total isolation and visiting by relatives and friends was strictly prohibited, even when the patient was dying. The erection of extra buildings and the creation of temporary fever wards was necessary to accommodate patients during outbreaks of infectious disease. The technique of introducing smallpox pus into a scratch in the skin was practised in 10th century China becoming the standard method of inoculation until Jenner introduced the safer method of vaccination using cowpox or vaccinia virus in the early 18th century. A strong anti-vaccination movement arose at this time and the arguments put forward by the anti-vaxxers were strikingly similar to those of modern-day vaccine opponents. Conclusion: None of the public health measures used to combat COVID-19 are novel and all have their roots in the past.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - ‘Twas Ever Thus: How the Public Health Measures to Combat COVID-19 Are Rooted in the Past
AU  - Alistair Ritch
Y1  - 2022/05/10
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11
T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP  - 69
EP  - 75
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8230
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20221003.11
AB  - Background: Scientific advances have ensured that when a clinical syndrome caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was detected at the end of 2019, the full genomic sequence of the virus was deciphered and a test for its detection manufactured within weeks. As infection with the virus spread worldwide public health measures had to be introduced to reduce person to person transmission. Even after vaccines effective against the virus were developed, these measures continued to be required. Method: A literature search was performed to identify public health measures that had been implemented throughout history from the arrival of the plague in Europe in the sixth century CE. Results: Quarantine was introduced throughout Mediterranean states in the 14th century CE to minimise the spread of the plague. The regulations imposed during the Great Plague of London in the 17th century reveal elements of case detection, lockdown, isolation, social distancing, the restriction of large gatherings and the use a form of personal protective equipment. The plague led to the realisation among physicians that some diseases could spread from person to person and smallpox became recognised as being highly contagious. However, the contagionist view was strongly opposed by those who believed in the miasmic theory of disease and was hotly contested during the sanitary reform of the 19th century. After mid-century public health measures to prevent the spread of disease concentrated on the management of infected individuals including compulsory isolation for sufferers of smallpox and compulsory removal infected people to hospital. During the smallpox epidemic in Birmingham, UK in the 1870s patients admitted to the workhouse were kept in total isolation and visiting by relatives and friends was strictly prohibited, even when the patient was dying. The erection of extra buildings and the creation of temporary fever wards was necessary to accommodate patients during outbreaks of infectious disease. The technique of introducing smallpox pus into a scratch in the skin was practised in 10th century China becoming the standard method of inoculation until Jenner introduced the safer method of vaccination using cowpox or vaccinia virus in the early 18th century. A strong anti-vaccination movement arose at this time and the arguments put forward by the anti-vaxxers were strikingly similar to those of modern-day vaccine opponents. Conclusion: None of the public health measures used to combat COVID-19 are novel and all have their roots in the past.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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