The medieval plague was much deadlier than the covid-19 pandemic. A new book describes how the pestilence changed society and art in the 14th century—sometimes for the better https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/04/30/what-really-happened-during-the-black-death?taid=69f717f216d544000169ad80&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=voante