Speaking at the Granby Men’s Breakfast in September, Granby’s own Dr. Peter Barwick, MD, reviewed the history of pandemics, the progression of science and of medicine, the important role of several “unknown (think unrecognized) individuals” and the role of the electron microscope. He explained how the world’s response to smallpox mirrors our current day mix of confusion, including those vying to be “first” and those few who have been humble and altruistic trying to develop a solution to the best of mankind’s limited abilities. The message is that we cannot afford to lose sight of the fact that the enemy is the virus and not each other.
A recent COVID survivor himself, Barwick, a fixture in the Granby medical scene since 1968, shared his knowledge of history, weaving the ancient Silk Road from China to Turkey, the role of smallpox in the fall of the Roman Empire, plagues in the Middle Ages, influenza, polio and COVID into a tale of discovery, enlightenment, tragedy, frustration, and hope.
The Granby Men’s Breakfast meets monthly at the Granby Senior Center for friendship, breakfast and to listen to topics of interest. Men of any age are welcome and should send their contact information to gmensbkfst@gmail.com to be added to the email notification list.