Seattle, USA, police wearing masks in 1918. Out of copyright photo from Wikipedia.
I was asked, is Covid-19 like the 1918 flu and is it like WW2.
In a few important ways yes, in other imortant ways, totally different.
Personal Story
Let's start with the 1918 flu. I have a personal interest in this. My late mother, living in London, UK, often told me how her mother, Hetty, had phoned her brother, Nat, in South Africa. Nat, newly emigrated, newly married, was upstairs in bed, with the flu.
Nat ran downstairs to answer the phone. He dropped dead.
My mother's lesson from this was, always have a phone by the bed so that when you are ill you don't stress yourself by getting up.
1918 Flu Fatalities
The Spanish flu, also known as the 1918 flu pandemic, was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus. Lasting from spring 1918 through spring or early summer 1919, it infected 500 million people – about a third of the world's population at the time.[2] The death toll is estimated to have been anywhere from 17 million to 50 million, and possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.[3]
Now, were the covid-19 and 1918 flue situations in any way alike?
Yes, the 1918 Flu and Covid-19 flu were in some ways alike.
They affected many countries. (Both were classed as a pandemic - pan meaning many)
SAME!
We should learn lessons from the past.
1918 flu
Similarities
1 1918 Coronavirus
It is a coronavirus, same family of viruses.
2 1918 Pandemic
Both pandemics were moved from country to country by people.
(In 1918 by soldiers deployed and returning home).
3 Masks
The public wore masks. (You can see photos.)
4 Killed by Cures & Preventatives
The 1918 had one supposed aid, aspirin. Unfortunately many died from overdoses.
5 Shortages of Coffins, Morgues Burial Plots, Staff
Now, let's see the opposite point of view.
No, Unlike.
1 No vaccine
(Vaccines first appeared in the 1940s.)
Death rate in 2020 Not Yet known - but here's a thought.
In 1918 the world population went down due to deaths - but recovered.
WWII
Yes, Like
1 Censorship
Censorship of casuality figures to maintain morale.
2 Foreigners Segregated, Imprisoned or Attacked
Perceived citizens of enemy countries were attacked or imprisoned and tried to conceal their identity.
3 Food Shortages
Food shortages and ration books.(Rationing in the UK continued until 1952)
Alliances.
4 WWII Communication only by radio.
2020 we can meet on the internet. Work on the internet. Contact family and friend on the internet. Speak to the dying in hospital on the internet.
5 Cnsorship of identities of the dead
UK Postwar newsreels, soon censored when audience members saw dead bodies of loved ones and created disturbance in the audience.
No unlike
1 WW2 countries outside the zone.
Switzerland and Ireland opted out of WW2.
2 Complaints
People in 2020 are complaining about stay home. However usually at least one person can go out to shop or exercise. (In some places not if over 70 years of age. Rules vary from country to country. In WWII in the UK there were curfews at night, no lights, to not attract bombers. Petrol shortages and rationing.
Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu#/media/File:Spanish_flu_in_1918,_Police_officers_in_masks,_Seattle_Police_Department_detail,_from-_165-WW-269B-25-police-l_(cropped).jpg
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. (Not related to the actress.)
Author of twenty books including: Quick Quotations; Who Said What When, Wedding Speeches & Toasts.
See books and profiles on Lulu.com and Amazon. Also watch videos on YouTube.
See other posts destinations, online events, singers, songwriters, statues and learning languages.
If you want to learn to speak the Queen's English, or Received Pronunciation. join me at my online toastmasters club,
Braddell Heights Advanced. Wednesdays, 7-9 Singapore time which is seven hours ahead of London, England.
I am also a member of
Singapore Online.9-12 pm, Singapore time, Fridays. In 2019-2020 I am also a member of
Tampines Changkat Advanced.
Harrovians, London. Tiarel, Singapore.
Toastmasters International Find a Club
https://www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club
https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=upSEBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA21&lpg=PA21&dq=quick+quotations
lulu.com/shop/angela-lansbury/who-said-what-when/paperback/product-21713991
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