1918 Spanish Flu — What should we know about it?
Written by — Mohanapriyae
As we all are locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is necessary for us to reflect on a similar colossal epidemic we faced 100 years ago. People all over the world faced the same situation. There was no education, economy or travel as people needed to stay quarantined to survive. Here’s a history lesson, answering some important questions about the Spanish flu — might sound familiar.
What was the Spanish flu?
It was an unusual deadly influenza pandemic that lasted from 1918 to 1920 with 500 million confirmed cases. The first case was reported at the military base in Kansas, US on march 11 1918.
Why is it named Spanish flu?
This epidemic has been called the Spanish flu (or the “Spanish Lady”), because of the misinformation surrounding the news about the origin of the epidemic. This is similar to Trump calling COVID-19 the “Chinese virus”.
As Spain was neutral during the First World War, its freedom of the press was greater than that of allied countries. Therefore, news of sickness first made headlines in Madrid, Spain in May 1918. Other nations were under a media blackout, with Spanish news being their only source. As they heard these in-depth accounts, they naturally assumed that it originated in Spain.
How did the Spanish flu progress?
The 1918 influenza pandemic circled the globe in three waves, extending in some places into 1920.:
- Spring of 1918: The first wave is said to taken few deaths but caused widespread sickness. This wave severely affected the soldiers. It might have gone unnoticed in history if not for what followed.
- Autumn of 1918: This deadlier wave between August and December 1918 caused majority of deaths.
- Winter of 1918–19: This wave took the lives of many soldiers and civilians, who were largely infected by secondary pneumonia.
What are non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)?
While many actions to protect the public were being taken, there were no vaccines and antiviral drugs to prevent the spread of the disease. This called for NPIs such as social distancing, quarantine, isolation, school and workplace closure and travel restrictions.
NPIs have proved to be the most effective tool used by Mayors and Municipal leadership used to reduce death. The use of these interventions can prevent individuals from being exposed to the disease, and slow down the number of people who become sick and die. This “flattening of the curve” is critical as new vaccines take at least up to 4–6 months to be developed.
Was there an impact on employment??
Unexpectedly, the introduction of social distancing policies led to better outcomes in terms of manufacturing employment and output. Cities that introduced these policies faster showed comparatively 4% higher employment rates after the pandemic had passed.
Who were the most affected by this epidemic?
Although all sections of the population were vulnerable, some groups were especially so:
- Poor East Indian immigrant labourers and Native Americans faced the heaviest mortality rates. This is due to the insecurities faced due to systemic oppressions — including housing, employment, food.
- Males aged 15–40 had a high death toll.
- Military camps in NZ were hit hard by in late 1918. Narrow Neck Camp in Auckland was the one of the first to experience the outbreak. The October wave affected 30–40% of the camp (with no deaths), and the November wave affected about 50%.
What were the economic implications?
The 1918 influenza pandemic affected different businesses differently — with small-businesses taking the hardest hits. Those in the service and entertainment industries suffered double-digit losses in revenue while businesses that specialised in health care experienced an increase in revenues.
Some academic research suggests that the 1918 influenza pandemic caused a shortage of labor that temporarily resulted in higher wages for workers. However, no reasonable argument can be made regarding benefits and costs as the tremendous changes and losses of life were shattering.
As the number of coronavirus cases skyrocket to 3.5 million and counting all over the world, we must use this time to stay at home and consume the knowledge that allows us to live more consciously in this world.
Works References
https://www.history.com/news/spanish-flu-second-wave-resurgence
