Some see irony in virus’ impact on Mayflower commemoration

A disease outbreak that wiped out large numbers of the Native inhabitants of what is now New England gave the Pilgrims a beachhead in the “New World.” So, some historians find it ironic that a pandemic has put many of the 400th anniversary commemorations of the Mayflower’s landing on hold. Disease introduced by European settlers and traders — either by happenstance or intention — is believed by many to have played an important role in the conquest of Native people.