[RE]

I can buy that. But back then, the common flu was probably something that killed many, polio, small pox...that was a GOOD one for pre-industrial times. I wonder who wins that dieoff scorecard, small pox versus winter storms...throw in hurricanes even.....my bet would still be on smallpox. That managed to decimate entire populations.

Oh no doubt, disease was a big killer in preindustrial era, but it got way worse at the beginning as populations moved from rural to city living to work in factories.  Poor sanitation and high density led to epidemics in the cities.  Rural populations usually were spared.  It wasn't until the late 1800s when microbes were identified and antibiotics discovered that got turned around.

Women dying in childbirth also a big killer in the old days, and common infections from injuries. That got worse with industrial accidents, as well as death by fire in factories.  That has improved but remains a problem in countries with low safety regulations where capitalists exploit the cheap labor.

Let's not forget the BIGGEST killer of them all in the industrial era, car accidents.

Car accidents are a major, leading cause of death both in the United States and worldwide. With over 40,000 traffic fatalities in the U.S. annually (roughly one every 13 minutes) and over 1 million globally, they are a significant public health crisis
. They are the leading cause of death for children and young adults (ages 5–29) globally and for individuals aged 1 to 54 in the U.S.



RE

[TDoS]

Let's not forget the BIGGEST killer of them all in the industrial era, car accidents.

Car accidents are a major, leading cause of death both in the United States and worldwide. With over 40,000 traffic fatalities in the U.S. annually (roughly one every 13 minutes) and over 1 million globally, they are a significant public health crisis
. They are the leading cause of death for children and young adults (ages 5–29) globally and for individuals aged 1 to 54 in the U.S.



RE

Certainly a huge cause of death, industrial era specific, but this one is often related to simple dumbassery, general incompetence, occasional equipment failures. Think.....chainsaw accidents....except at high speed.

But real collapse won't be involving car accidents, maybe horse and buggy accidents, bicycle accidents, punji stick and claymore accidents/fatalities as landowners defend themselves from roving bands of MZBs and whatnot.

Once your definition of collapse shows up, seems like the opportunity for continued large number of cager accidents will be the least of most folks concerns.

[RE]

CNN.COM 2026-02-22

Blizzard warnings expand as blockbuster nor’easter takes aim at New York City, Northeast

New York City prepares for dangerous conditions: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned that conditions could be worse than last month’s winter storm. City officials are bringing in outside snow-clearing equipment earlier than they did during the previous storm, along with additional snow-clearing crews to keep sidewalks, bus stops and pathways accessible. More than 40 warming centers will open across the city, and dedicated outreach teams will ramp up efforts to get homeless New Yorkers out of the cold.

Looks like good cross country skiing conditions in Central Park next week.😎

RE