5 ms·

That was my instinctive reaction as well. However once I learnt that the concept of asymptomatic carriers wasn't even known at the time, and that she received n

by enjeyw 5y ago

That was my instinctive reaction as well. However once I learnt that the concept of asymptomatic carriers wasn't even known at the time, and that she received negative tests for typhoid, I became less convinced that I would have behaved much differently.

Clewza313 5y ago
She received some negative tests for typhoid, but plenty of positive ones as well.
_carbyau_ 5y ago
Throw in a few other factors like: - Irish - woman - unmarried - being told she can't do the only profession she knew With the "asymptomatic story" being delivered by male doctors, likely US born, you can understand why she believed it was simply another case of people out to get her!
- BizarroLand 5y ago
  Stories like this would make a person believe in being cursed. She killed so many people by simply being present in their house, not understanding or knowing how or why Typhoid followed her everywhere she went. She was the X-Men's Rogue of the early 1900s, suffered a horrible fate tied to a decently long life, and to this day her name is invoked in mockery.
  - munk-a 5y ago
    I don't really know if her name is involved in mockery per-se - I think she's more of an example of both 1) how quickly a pandemic can spread and 2) the fact that asymptomatic carriers are a real danger since they can continue working and interacting in society as normal while just as virulent as someone coughing up a lung. During this pandemic society has been extremely aware of the dangers of assuming someone is fine and not a carrier by their appearance - we've managed to normalize temperature testing, hand washing and wearing a mask regardless of your symptoms. I wouldn't hold ill will against Mary Mallon myself - I think her terrible experience ended up being a huge wake up call to public safety. "The public" is really fucking bad at learning responsible behavior.

by enjeyw 5y ago

Clewza313 5y ago

She received some negative tests for typhoid, but plenty of positive ones as well.

_carbyau_ 5y ago

Throw in a few other factors like: - Irish - woman - unmarried - being told she can't do the only profession she knew With the "asymptomatic story" being delivered by male doctors, likely US born, you can understand why she believed it was simply another case of people out to get her!

BizarroLand 5y ago
Stories like this would make a person believe in being cursed. She killed so many people by simply being present in their house, not understanding or knowing how or why Typhoid followed her everywhere she went. She was the X-Men's Rogue of the early 1900s, suffered a horrible fate tied to a decently long life, and to this day her name is invoked in mockery.
- munk-a 5y ago
  I don't really know if her name is involved in mockery per-se - I think she's more of an example of both 1) how quickly a pandemic can spread and 2) the fact that asymptomatic carriers are a real danger since they can continue working and interacting in society as normal while just as virulent as someone coughing up a lung. During this pandemic society has been extremely aware of the dangers of assuming someone is fine and not a carrier by their appearance - we've managed to normalize temperature testing, hand washing and wearing a mask regardless of your symptoms. I wouldn't hold ill will against Mary Mallon myself - I think her terrible experience ended up being a huge wake up call to public safety. "The public" is really fucking bad at learning responsible behavior.