It's a year this week since the first case of COVID-19 was found in Wisconsin. In July, I scoured the newspapers from the flu epidemic of 1918-1920. I've been wanting to put them into a thread, so today seemed like an appropriate time.

Useful background for the last major epidemic in US history-- the country was still fighting World War I, which colors many of the early articles. Women were fighting for the right to vote. Voices were clamoring for Prohibition.

The first article in central Wisconsin appeared, mentioning a mysterious epidemic in Spain. (Wausau Daily Herald, 5/28/1918)

In September, the surgeon general began warning the US about the influenza infecting a large percentage of the European population, specifically warning of the pneumonia that often followed the sickness. (Stevens Point Journal, 9/21/1918)

By the end of the month, the medical community in Wausau began to be on the alert for influenza's arrival here, while they stated that unless it became an epidemic, there was no cause for alarm. (Wausau Daily Herald, 9/30/1918)

Newspaper editors waxed eloquent as they discredited conspiracies that the Germans were behind the spread of influenza. (The Gazette, Stevens Point, 10/02/1918)

Right from the beginning, people looked for ways to treat the illness. Robert Schilling's method involved forcing the patient to perspire for an hour before sponging away the germs, thereby curing the patient.

Major McCaskey of the Student Army Training Corps at UW-Madison claimed there was no epidemic sweeping the ranks of the SATC and blamed people running around wearing flu masks for the scare. (Wisconsin State Journal, 10/05/1918)

The National Conference of Army, Navy, and Civilian Doctors published this list of things to do if you fell sick. (Wisconsin State Journal, 10/06/1918)

This article discusses what powers the health board possesses in regards to mandating quarantines. It seems generally agreed upon that the health board may placard houses where sickness is found. (Wisconsin State Journal, 10/06/1918)

Oshkosh was one of the first cities in Wisconsin to close down public places to curb the spread of influenza. (Oshkosh Northwestern, 10/09/1918)

In Stevens Point, the board of health announced that any students who showed signs of a cold must be sent home from school immediately. (Stevens Point Journal, 10/10/1918)

The headlines in Madison just five days after Major McCaskey's remarks told a different story. (Wisconsin State Journal, 10/10/1918)

Businesses changed their practices to accommodate their customers safely.

(Wausau Daily Herald, 10/11/1918)
(Eau Claire Leader, 11/2/1918)
(Stevens Point Journal, 12/9/1918)

1918 saw its share of lockdowns as well. This article describes the situation in Eau Claire. The newspaper also offers a reward to the first police officer who stops someone from spitting in the street and spreading disease. (Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 10/11/1918)

Chiropractors advertised to those sick with the influenza.

(Green Bay Press-Gazette, 10/12/1918)
(Wausau Daily Herald, 10/12/1918)

This advertisement for Vick's VapoRub mixes news, history, and health advice. (Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 10/12/1918)

Newspapers had sarcastic quips to share.
(Sheboygan Press, 10/14/1918)
(Oshkosh Northwestern, 10/15/1918)
(Wausau Daily Herald, 10/26/1918)
(Appleton Post-Crescent, 11/1/1918)

Local restrictions and encouragement to wear masks began to take effect in Wausau as cases exploded. (Wausau Daily Herald, 10/14/1918)

Long before contact tracing, they had volunteers taking a census of those sick with influenza. This article also describes Red Cross approved masks made out of multiple layers of cheesecloth. (Wausau Daily Herald, 10/15/1918)

This Red Cross nurse is wearing a flu mask similar to the one described in the previous article.
(Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 10/16/1918)
(Wausau Daily Herald, 10/15/1918)

Churches are closed in Eau Claire and elsewhere, which led to pointed comments from Marinette and Oshkosh, which were reprinted throughout the state.
(Wausau Daily Herald, 10/16/1918)

As deaths mounted in Wausau, mask wearing became nearly universal. (Wausau Daily Herald, 10/16/1918)

The US Public Health Service's official bulletin states that the influenza likely did not originate in Spain, encourages mask wearing near the sick, fresh air whenever possible, and to avoid uncovered coughers and sneezers. (Wood County Reporter, Wisconsin Rapids, 10/17/1918)

Advice from Dr. Dearholt of the UW Extension encourages people to be neither foolish nor cowardly as they faced influenza. (Iowa County Democrat, Mineral Point, 10/17/1918)

More remedial treatments for influenza crop up around the state, including a few drops of formeldahyde on the handkerchief.
(Appleton Post-Crescent, 10/17/1918)
(Stevens Point Journal, 10/18/1918)
(Kenosha News, 10/21/1918)
(Appleton Post-Crescent, 10/22/1918)

Newspaper editors in Grand Rapids (now Wisconsin Rapids) worried that their public health officials were not doing enough to stop the spread of the flu.
(Wood County Reporter, 10/17/1918)

It appears that an early vaccine was attempted by doctors from the Mayo Foundation (now the Mayo Clinic), which was available only in Rochester, Minnesota, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
(Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 10/18/1918)

Dr. Henry Sell, of First Congregational Church in Kenosha, made a plan for an ecumenical church service at home during the lockdowns. The sermon would be "the best sermon of all," The Sermon on the Mount.
(Kenosha News, 10/19/1918)

More sarcastic quips from the newspapers.
On quarantines: (Kenosha News, 10/21/1918)
On masks:
(Wausau Daily Herald, 11/01/1918)
(Appleton Post Crescent, 11/02/1918)
(Appleton Post Crescent, 11/06/1918)

The lockdown continues for at least another week. (Stevens Point Journal, 10/21/1918)

More remedies to ward off or treat the flu appear, include juniper berries, red pepper in whiskey, and putting a potato over the bed of a patient.
(Stevens Point Journal, 10/21/1918)
(Appleton Post Crescent, 10/22/1918)
(The Gazette, Stevens Point, 10/23/1918)

Businesses closed or changed their practices when employees fell ill.
(Wausau Daily Herald, 10/22/1918)

Blood serum was a treatment being researched, but there was a dearth of supply. The influenza situation in Stratford and Fenwood is mentioned at the end of this article as being particularly out of control.
(Wausau Daily Herald, 10/22/1918)

This article encourages civilians to take lessons from the Army's quashing of "spit-borne contagious diseases" by wearing masks.
(The Gazette, Stevens Point, 10/23/1918)

This urgent request appeared on the front page, above the fold, seeking volunteers to help feed families with influenza. (Wausau Daily Herald, 10/24/1918)

The paper encourages everyone to keep their children in their own yards to stop the spread.
(Stevens Point Journal, 10/25/1918)

An article republished from the Christian Science Monitor says that fear is the source of all evil, and says that the Black Death was spread on the wings of fear. It's long, but captures the viewpoints of some then and now. (Oshkosh Northwestern, 10/26/1918)

The flu appears to be losing hold in Camp Hancock, Georgia, and based on the statistics there, it was thought that smokers had a slightly better chance than non-smokers of surviving. (Stevens Point Journal, 10/26/1918)

A letter to the editor points out the inconsistencies of the lockdown requirements, much like the arguments about what qualifies as "essential" today.
(Stevens Point Journal, 10/26/1918)

Des Moines, Iowa chose to take the Christian Scientist approach to influenza. A doctor said, "There is no question that by a right attitude of mind, these people have kept themselves from illness."
(Kenosha News, 10/28/1918)

As now, not just service industries were affected by the epidemic. Production of bituminous coal slumped drastically in October of 1918.
(Stevens Point Journal, 10/28/1918)

Fewer cases began to be reported in Stevens Point and surrounding areas, while rural churches had many members attending services, which caused consternation to those who were continuing to observe the rules.
(Stevens Point Journal, 10/28/1918)

Halloween brought restrictions then as well. Stevens Point and Marshfield both encouraged everyone to stay home.

(Stevens Point Journal, 10/30/1918)
(Marshfield News, 10/31/1918)

Public support in the city of Stevens Point was still strong two weeks in to "keep the lid on," despite the financial sacrifice for businesses. (Stevens Point Journal, 10/30/1918)

Another article about Vick's VapoRub appears. Due to the epidemic and supply chain deficiencies, there was a severe shortage throughout the country.
(Portage Daily Register, 10/30/1918)

Like today, fashionistas took the mask mandates and ran with it.
(Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 10/31/1918)

The Red Cross urges people to wear masks, help their neighbors, and not hold parties. At the end they say, "What are our boys in the army going to think if we are too selfish to stop this spread?"
(The Daily Tribune, Wisconsin Rapids, 11/7/1918)

The connection people saw between the Ku Klux Klan and masks is stark.
(Appleton Post Crescent, 11/8/1918)
(Appleton Post Crescent, 12/18/1918)

The Great War ended on November 11, 1918, and the whole town came out to celebrate, despite the pandemic, with a parade. Here is the mayor's letter to the editor, detailing his concerns about the spread of disease under the circumstances.
(Stevens Point Journal, 11/12/1918)

Stevens Point was reopened at last, on November 13th.
(Stevens Point Journal, 11/12/1918)

After the lockdowns were lifted, there was much discussion as to whether stricter methods worked better or not. "When the doctors disagree or are uncertain, the laymen are helpless." (Portage Daily Register, 11/20/1918)

An advertisement for a flu vaccine from the local drug store, less than two months after influenza became widespread throughout the state.
(Stevens Point Journal, 11/20/1918)

More home treatment methods surfaced. This doctor encouraged the 3 Cs: clean mouth, clean skin, clean bowels, specifically Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets. Hot lemonade, a mustard footbath, buttermilk, broth, and ice cream were also part of his plan.
(Marshfield News, 11/21/1918)

Some districts did not pay their teachers for time when school was closed due to illness, but the Board of Education in Stevens Point did choose to pay its teachers through the closures.
(Stevens Point Journal, 11/23/1918)

"An epidemic of wide extent has brought suffering into many a family circle and left it bereft of some loved one." Bishop Rhode of the Diocese of Green Bay shares his thoughts on Thanksgiving Day.
(Green Bay Press-Gazette, 11/25/1918)

Advertisements for cures, preventatives, and supplements proliferated.
(Marshfield News, 11/28/1918)
(Oshkosh Northwestern, 12/10/1918)
(Oshkosh Northwestern, 5/23/1919)
(Stevens Point Journal, 11/14/1919)

"The fact that the medical profession states influenza is not a contagious disease except by direct contact is not sufficient reason for permitting Mr. Influenza riding around the public on its victim so as to get within jumping distance of its next victim." (SP Journal, 12/3/18)

(Wood County Reporter, 12/5/1918)

Churches shortened services and limited public funerals during the epidemic. (Stevens Point Journal, 12/5/1918)

Stevens Point set up a temporary emergency hospital at Lincoln School. (12/6/1918)

Young people held a sleighing party while wearing masks. (Stevens Point Journal, 12/07/1918)

A copy of the official notice from the Board of Health putting the city under strict quarantine. Note that houses where the disease exists will be placarded. (Stevens Point Journal, 12/9/1918)
(Wausau Daily Herald, 12/12/1918)

More quips and jokes from the newspapers:
(Wausau Daily Herald, 12/10/1918)
(Green Bay Press-Gazette, 12/18/1918)
(Iron County Miner, Hurley, 12/20/1918)

People hypothesized (mostly incorrectly) about the origins of the flu. This doctor thought it might be the pneumonic plague in a new form. (Wausau Daily Herald, 12/10/1918)

The work of the Red Cross continued. Door to door canvassing for funds had to be stopped due to the pandemic, and the Red Cross still needed volunteers.
(Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 12/13/1918)

Advertisements for questionable remedies were placed among appropriate precautions and treatments. This author recommended breathing some reliable germicidal and antiseptic air to destroy germs.
(Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 12/13/1918)
(The Gazette, Stevens Point, 12/18/1918)

This pro-mask article claims that wearing a mask allows one to avoid all risk of contracting influenza. (Wausau Daily Herald, 12/13/1918)

In Kenosha, people began to urge that all girls be taught home nursing in school once they reached a suitable age, and that many lives would be saved if this knowledge were to be taught. (The Gazette, Stevens Point, 12/18/1918)

As Christmas neared, people in Wausau began to worry that the ban would not be lifted before the holidays. It seemed to area businessmen that being sanitary and clean was no protection from the disease. (Wausau Daily Herald, 12/18/1918)

King Alphonso of Spain was one of the first prominent people to come down sick with the flu. As a result, he grew out his beard, to the interest of the paparazzi. (Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 12/19/1918)

Christmas poetry in the time of epidemic.

"The young lady
Next door
Says
That mistletoe
Is so
Derned expensive
This year
That she is going
To hang
Her
Flu mask
On the family
Chandelier
For one day
Only..."
(Green Bay Press-Gazette, 12/20/1918)

ENLIST THIS MINUTE FOR THE WAR AGAINST THIS PLAGUE!
Kissing spreads flu!
Don't worry. Worry is weakening. Don't put your money in your mouth. Put it in your pocket. Don't pet dogs or cats.
Spread the gospel of prevention among your friends.
(La Crosse Tribune, 12/21/1918)

The editorial on Christmas Eve mentions the relief of celebrating the first post-war Christmas, and how it is tempered by the bereavement so many feel because of the losses throughout the country from the flu.
(Wausau Daily Herald, 12/24/1918)

The flu cost, conservatively, more than $1,000,000/day, whether because of work lost, funerals, drug bills, nurse bills, doctor's fees, etc. The article compares different localities' measures taken to mitigate flu spread. (Green Bay Press-Gazette, 12/26/1918)

More short thoughts from the newspapers.
(Lake Geneva Regional News, 01/02/1919)
(Wood County Reporter, 01/09/1919)
(Wood County Reporter, 01/16/1919)
(Wausau Daily Herald, 12/24/1918)

People ponder the mystery of influenza appearing in places with little to no contact with the outside world, like a mining town in Colorado. (Sheboygan Press, 01/02/1919)

Health authorities worry that influenza will be recurrent over the coming months, and the vaccines that have been used seem to prevent death, but not necessarily disease. (Wausau Daily Herald, 01/13/1919)

School closing was a hot topic then too. This article, from The School Review: "Incidental evidences which have appeared during this epidemic justify the verdict that it is better for the school to be kept open with inspection than closed." (Wood County Reporter, 1/16/19)

The ways deaths were listed drew attention then too. Green Bay changed its methods of counting, when it appeared that due to the location of a large hospital there, that Green Bay had an unusually high death rate. (Wausau Daily Herald, 01/18/1919)

I'm hopeful that we'll see a lot of signs like this one as the vaccine continues to roll out. (Stevens Point Journal, 01/20/1919)

This article reminds me of the early days of the pandemic, when we were all trying desperately not to touch our faces. "Few people realize how many hundred times a day their hands find their way to their face, nose and mouth." (Marshfield News, 01/30/1919)

A scientist faces the possibility of bioweapons after the influenza epidemic. His solution was international control of every factory and laboratory so that the evildoers could be watched by the peaceful element.
(Wisconsin State Journal, 01/31/1919)

Teachers in Plover, including a Miss Bannach, work with mothers to create a plan to help students regain ground lost during the pandemic. (Stevens Point Journal, 02/03/1919)

More pandemic-inspired fashion, as women's veils take on new character. (Marshfield News, 02/06/1919)

An advertisement to watch out for tuberculosis infection after having influenza says, "Become a fresh air crank and enjoy life."
(Wood County Reporter, 02/06/1919)

Contracting influenza also appeared to have an effect on the mental health of sufferers. (Stevens Point Journal, 02/24/1919)

Len Sargent, formerly of Stratford, wrote a letter to the editor discussing the importance of ventilation to prevent disease, but also highlighting the need to minimize drafts. "Ventilation with drafts do as much harm as no ventilation at all." (Wausau Daily Herald, 03/04/1919)

As the epidemic went on, people began to notice that an influenza epidemic often led to poorer health for some time. This article encourages fresh air, good food, and avoiding sick people, and going to the doctor if one continues to feel poorly. (Marshfield News, 03/20/1919)

Another prescription, this time from the Milwaukee Health Department for the prevention of flu, including lycopodium, calomel, sodium biborate, and boracic acid, to be used as a snuff. (Portage Daily Register, 03/22/1919)

The shortage of Vick's was overcome at last. 13 million jars of VapoRub were distributed between October of 1918 and March of 1919. (Marshfield News, 03/27/1919)

Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery is an "old, reliable blood-maker and herbal tonic" to aid in the throwing off of influenza. (Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, 04/01/1919)
And a NY doctor claims to immunize a patient to his own poison. (The Capital Times, Madison, 06/17/1919)

Beauty advice for women after a bout with influenza included daily treatment of the skin, as it was likely to be dry and scaley, and rubbing cream into the neck with an upward motion, as the muscles were likely to have sagged. (Appleton Post Crescent, 04/01/1919)

This editorial says that in the seven months of the epidemic, 10,000 have died in Wisconsin. It goes on to compare death from wars and death from disease, and encourages everyone to work hard to prevent both. (Wausau Daily Herald, 04/03/1919)

Articles came out in favor of the bill to put aside $1.5 million to investigate influenza in mid-1919. Many were worried that influenza would become a regular occurrence without further research to understand its spread. (Wisconsin State Journal, 06/21/1919)

The Harding-Fess Measure must be passed. "Congress has nothing more important on its hands." (Sheboygan Press, July 29, 1919)

I can't decide if this is laughing at pandemic anxiety, where you worry about every little symptom, or if it's saying that doctors diagnose everything as the flu? (Oshkosh Northwestern, 08/16/1919)

Dr. Copeland, Commissioner of Health for NYC says, "We are old fashioned here. We do not believe in closing schools or churches," and "Masks are filthy, prevent the patient from getting good air, and cause him to rebreathe bad breath." (Wausau Daily Herald, 9/3/19)

By fall 1919, it seemed that the efficacy of masks was coming under scrutiny. This article says that while masks have there use, it is important to remember that "There are many other paths by which germs are transmitted from person to person." (Stevens Point Journal, 9/29/19)

A year out from the first deaths in central Wisconsin, articles appeared as people geared up for a second wave.
(Stevens Point Journal, 10/4/1919)
(Wood County Reporter, 10/9/1919)

Army physicians at a convention say there is no evidence of a flu outbreak in the coming winter. He blamed the higher death rate in rural districts on "the city-reared man...is accustomed to breathe filthy air." (Wausau Daily Herald, 10/14/1919)

Win a victory over sickness, illness, and expenses. (Oshkosh Northwestern, 10/15/1919)
(Menasha Record, 11/22/1919)
(Stevens Point Journal, 11/26/1919)
(La Crosse Tribune, 01/28/1920)

New rules were prepared for the possible coming epidemic, similar to the ones that had been instituted the previous year. (Wausau Daily Herald, 10/15/1919)

This editorial urged everyone to pay as little attention to the flu as possible. It claims that the flu raged the worst in communities where fear was the highest. (Wood County Reporter, 10/16/1919)

The health statistics in the summer following the first surge of the epidemic showed the country in better health than in any comparable time period in years. (Marshfield News, 12/11/1919)

Churches were closed for a brief time again in early 1920, and some funny stories resulted. (Stevens Point Journal 01/12/1920)

Madison was considering putting the ban of 1918 back in place, but there was argument as to whether it was la grippe or influenza spreading through the city. This editorial pled for academic discussions to cease and action to happen.
(La Crosse Tribune, January 28, 1920)

Newspaper quips:
(Wausau Daily Herald, 01/29/1920)
(Wood County Reporter, 12/2/1920)

Homes where illness was present were placarded in Marshfield during the epidemic's recurrence in 1920. (Marshfield News, 1/29/1920)

Prohibition began on January 17, 1920, and Charles Clyne, a US district attorney in Illinois, proposed that liquor seized by federal agents should be used in hospitals for pneumonia and influenza patients. (Wausau Daily Herald, 1/29/1920)

Even in 1920, as the epidemic was dissipating, businesses tried to capitalize on it. I hope the graphic designer who came up with this FLU border got a raise. (Green Bay Press Gazette, 1/30/1920)

This Wizard Oil might also be the ticket, especially if you're canstipated. (Oshkosh Northwestern, 02/20/1920)

In Merrill, Father Owen held the Mass at St. Francis Catholic Church in defiance of the flu ban in place, and he was arrested and jailed for a day.
(The Capital Times, 02/26/1920)
(Grant County Herald, Lancaster, 03/10/1920)

That wraps it up. There are so many parallels to be drawn and thoughts to be had, but I'll leave that work to others.