Over the past couple of weeks, I have softened my attitude toward the government’s management of the economic side of the Wuhan Virus pandemic, because in studying the history of pandemics, the inescapable conclusion is that this one is really unique in that sense.
The closest modern example — the Asian Flu of 1957–1958 — pales in comparison; it did contribute to a short-lived recession in 1958, but the global economy rebounded spectacularly before that year ended. The world has not seen an economic upheaval of this magnitude since the Black Death, more than six-and-a-half centuries ago. Comparing the world economy of the 21st century to that of the 14th century is like comparing apples to cat turds — the resemblance, if any, is exceedingly faint.