I’m sure you have heard by now something along the lines of: “This is something that most people don’t experience in their lifetime. You are a part of history.” This is a true statement, so let’s look at a historical event. Another outbreak from the past is the pandemic of 1918, more commonly known as the Spanish Flu Pandemic. This was one of the most deadly pandemics in history. It infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide. In comparison, there are just over 3 million confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide right now. However, that number is certainly higher due to the lack of testing in some areas. The first wave of the Spanish Flu pandemic occurred in the spring of 1918. It was mild for the most part with typical flu symptoms such as chills and a fever. The second wave, however, was much more damaging. It began in the fall of 1918 with similar symptoms, but additional symptoms included skin turning blue and lungs filling up with fluid. The fluid in the lungs caused the victim to suffocate. Some symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
The Spanish Flu was more worrisome for the younger population which is the opposite of what you might expect. Older people were actually more immune to influenza due to a previous outbreak in the late 1800’s. For COVID-19, elderly people are most vulnerable due to weaker immune systems. During the Spanish Flu, much like what we are experiencing today, schools, theaters, and businesses were closed and people wore masks. Interestingly enough, even though it is called the Spanish Flu, it did not actually originate in Spain. However, many people assumed it had because Spain was the only country reporting it on the news. Spain was a neutral country in World War I, so they had no issue broadcasting this. Other countries who took part in the war did not want to seem weak to their enemies, so they didn’t broadcast their numbers. The ongoing world war also caused a shortage of healthcare workers, but they refused to give up. Because of this, private homes and schools were turned into makeshift hospitals staffed by medical students that ended up being quite helpful. Scientists were unsure of where the virus came from, but the first case was reported on March 11, 1918 in Kansas. In October of 1918, a preventative vaccine was available; however, this would not cure people who already had it. It finally came to an end in 1919. Society has learned from the Spanish Flu outbreak. As you could have guessed, the areas that quickly banned travel and gatherings were impacted by this current outbreak less compared to other areas that did not practice this right away. With the help of our technology and amazing doctors, the medical field is much more advanced than it was 100 years ago. Everyone who is following the precautions and guidelines for our situation is making a huge impact on flattening the curve, and we will come out of this on top.