THE PLAGUE ECONOMY IN 17TH CENTURY CITIES

If a comparison is possible between the plague in 17th century cities and Covid-19, it is because of the confinement measures and their economic and social consequences. These epidemics reveal and increase inequalities. The rich flee, and slums, therefore the poor, are the most affected by disease and the economic crisis. The epidemic ended, the activity restarts with force. In the long term, however, the epidemic accelerates history: it accentuates declining trends but does not reverse - and may even reinforce - an expansionary trajectory.