This year, the fear of a lethal pandemic prompted the ruling elite to impose authoritarian lockdowns. The exaltation of science, akin to a prophetic event, compelled leaders to adopt regressive policies. The anxious public, in turn, complied willingly.
Humanity has grappled with viruses long before the invention of the wheel. Archaeological evidence suggests that a swift epidemic around 5,000 years ago decimated a prehistoric village in today’s northeastern China. Bodies were hastily interred in a dwelling—known as the Hamin Mangha—which was subsequently set ablaze.
A mass burial site, Miaozigou, emerged in the same period and vicinity. These findings imply a rapid outbreak of a severe infectious disease that devastated the region.
The unchecked spread of microscopic pathogens has the power to reshape history. Soldiers returning to the Roman Empire after battling Parthia in 165 AD brought back more than just war trophies. The infamous Antonine Plague, likely either smallpox or measles, claimed approximately 5 million lives, heralding dire consequences across the Roman Empire and perhaps hastening the end of Pax Romana.
Fast forward about 1,350 years, and Spanish forces led by Hernán Cortés introduced smallpox while seizing the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán. A decade later, the disease reached the Incas, leading to the deaths of an estimated 90 percent of the indigenous population. The Aztec and Inca civilizations were swiftly eradicated, making way for New Spain.
Court of Sinister
Throughout history, plagues have emerged in various forms: the Plague of Athens, the Plague of Cyprian, the Plague of Justinian, the Black Death, the Cocoliztli epidemic, and many more. Each has left its mark, often leading to long-lasting impacts on society.
Particularly with the coronavirus, the consequences extend far beyond viral biology; they represent significant societal shifts. Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Emperors during the Antonine Plague, articulated this in his Meditations:
“To bear in mind constantly that all of this has happened before. And will happen again—the same plot from beginning to end, the identical staging. Produce them in your mind, as you know them from experience or from history: the court of Hadrian, of Antoninus. The courts of Philip, Alexander, Croesus. All just the same. Only the people different.”
However, the narrative in 2020 unfolds in a more sinister setting. The fear surrounding the pandemic has granted entrance to those with nefarious intentions, who seek to implement plans for controlling populations and increasing dependency.
State and local authorities have redefined constitutional rights as privileges, conveniently suspended in the name of public safety. If you desire to work, host family gatherings, attend religious services, or walk without a mask, you’re labeled as selfish for not prioritizing community health.
Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum, represents this ideological shift toward a socially engineered totalitarianism. Those who are self-sufficient and independent do not fit into his vision. He envisions a compliant populace, teetering just above poverty, reliant on a global state.
In his recent publication, “COVID-19: The Great Reset,” Schwab and his co-author claim that COVID-19 is “one of the least deadly pandemics in the last 2000 years.” Yet the ruling class has reacted as though this were a new smallpox outbreak. What could be behind this disparity?
The Viral Assault On Small Businesses
The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a convenient pretext for Schwab’s followers to launch an attack on one of the last bastions of American freedom and independence: small businesses. Lockdowns allow politicians to determine which businesses thrive and which perish, classifying some as essential while others are sidelined.
In this altered landscape, large corporations, aligned with political interests, are deemed essential. Meanwhile, small businesses face a dire threat. Walmart thrives, while local barbershops and eateries struggle to survive.
Legislation claiming to curb the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in widespread devastation for small enterprises. Approximately 100,000 small businesses have closed permanently, while major corporations report record profits.
Among the more draconian pieces of legislation is the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Attorney Ash Staub elaborates:
“The FFCRA, enacted in March, mandates businesses to provide two weeks of paid sick leave for quarantined employees or those showing COVID-19 symptoms. It also requires an additional two weeks of paid sick leave at two-thirds the regular pay for employees taking care of quarantined individuals. Furthermore, employers must offer ten weeks of extended leave at two-thirds the regular pay for employees with children affected by school closures.
“This act is applicable only to employers with fewer than 500 employees. Hence, it imposes financial burdens on small businesses while exempting large corporations from compliance. Small businesses are left to navigate FFCRA-related lawsuits without the financial backing available to their larger competitors. This model jeopardizes the very existence of countless small enterprises, which are now forced to contend with rising costs amidst plummeting revenues, all while corporate giants flourish.”
Each small business that falters under these oppressive regulations signifies not just the loss of an owner’s aspirations or an employee’s livelihood, but also represents a shift away from freedom and autonomy towards increased control and dependence—leading society toward a more authoritarian and bleak future.
Sincerely,
MN Gordon
for Economic Prism
Return from The Viral Assault On Small Businesses to Economic Prism
