Introduction
While the world has been affected by the spread of COVID-19, the contemporary crisis was not the first pandemic humankind faced. In his recent article, Matthew Wills describes another global epidemic: the influenza of 1918-1919. In particular, the author explains how the authorities of Tucson, Arizona, responded to the 1918 flu using face masks (FMs) (Wills 1). The experiences of reacting to influenza and the COVID-19 pandemic were quite similar, yet the modern response was worse than that of Tucson’s.
Parallels Between the 1918 Influenza and COVID-19 Preventive Measures
The two worldwide epidemics of the XX and XXI centuries have notable parallels. In Tucson, Arizona, different places of public gatherings suspended their operations due to influenza (Wills 1). For example, businesses, churches, and schools were closed to contain disease transmission (Wills 1).
Healthcare facilities were filled, requiring the authorities to open additional places where people could receive medical assistance (Wills 1). For instance, a local university gymnasium was employed to set up an emergency hospital (Wills 1). It appears that the preclusion of the 1918 flu was pursued primarily by utilizing FMs (Wills 2).
While the article’s author does not provide information regarding COVID-19 management, other sources indicate some similarities with the influenza experiences. For example, Underwood states that many US counties require social distancing, which prevents businesses from operating (5). Moreover, using FMs was an essential way of containing the dissemination of the virus (Casola et al., 152; Underwood 5). Accordingly, prevention policies for influenza and COVID-19 concentrated on reducing social contact in public places and wearing FMs.
Differences in Mask Enforcement and Public Reactions Across Pandemics
The recent pandemic response was worse than that in 1918, which can be seen in how the authorities of the two periods addressed masking. For instance, Wills declares that Tucson’s leaders legally enforced FMs and implemented a penalty of $170 or up to thirty days of imprisonment for not wearing an FM (2). Wills notes that FMs were lawfully required during influenza, but such protection was only recommended during the outbreak of COVID-19 (1).
Nonetheless, other sources indicate that while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised FMs, many states passed mandates officially requiring people to cover their faces (Casola et al., 152; Underwood 5). In addition, some US regions enacted a fine of $5000 or a maximum of one-year confinement (Casola et al., 152). Wills suggests that the decrease in influenza cases coincided with FM requirements, but the public was unsatisfied with the regulation (2). Similarly, numerous individuals negatively perceived the necessity to wear FMs as a reaction to the spread of COVID-19 (Casola et al., 152; Underwood 5). Consequently, how the COVID-19 pandemic was handled was no better than how the 1918 flu was addressed.
Conclusion
To conclude, the experiences of global epidemics of influenza and COVID-19 were similar, but the latter’s management was worse. COVID-19 prevention and policy were considerably similar to those of the XX century’s flu as, both times, many organizations were closed, social contacts reduced, and face masks mandated. It seems that the leaders of Tucson acted somewhat appropriately when handling the flu since the technology was not quite developed in 1918, and perhaps there were not enough resources to better confront the disease. However, the recent pandemic response was worse than that of Tuscon’s since the primary method of disease prevention was wearing FMs, but with more severe penalties. Global and national leaders should have considered that a crisis similar to the influenza outbreak may occur again and should have spent the last years preparing better solutions to such emergencies.
Works Cited
Casola, Allison R., et al. “Mask Use During COVID-19: A Social-Ecological Analysis.” Health Promotion Practice, vol. 22, no. 2, 2021, pp. 152-155. Web.
Underwood, Angelika. “COVID-19: A Rural US Emergency Department Perspective.” Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, vol. 36, no. 1, 2021, pp. 4-5. Web.
Wills, Matthew. “How Tucson Enforced Its 1918 Mask Requirement.” JSTOR Daily, 2020, pp. 1-2.