The COVID-19 pandemic makes this a fearful time. I'd like to hope that all readers (and authors) here on SOL are being careful and preserving their health. I'm over 80, and have only left home once a week, to purchase food. Most stories involve social interactions; real life limits them ... save by phone or computer.
The Black Death (1337-1350s), the London Plague (1665-66), the Spanish Flu (1918-1920) all occurred during times of slower communication and far less medical and epidemiological knowledge.
Please take care and observe sensible precautions.