Was The Fall Of The Roman Empire Due To Plagues?

By its nature, Roman civilisation seemed to unlock the pestilential potential of the landscape. The expansion of agriculture brought civilisation deeper into habitats friendly with the mosquito. Deforestation facilitated the pooling of water and turned the forbidding forest into fields where mosquitos more easily multiplied… The Romans were environmental engineers extraordinaire. – New Statesman

Boston Public Radio Station WBUR Lays Off 29 Staffers

Less than a week after management negotiated the first contract with newly-unionized employees, WBUR leaders announced a reorganization, which they said was made necessary by the COVID-related recession, that includes the reduction of staff numbers by more than 10% and cancellation of the nationally syndicated program Only a Game. (Similar job losses were announced this week at WBEZ in Chicago and at Minnesota Public Radio.) – Boston.com