I’ve always been intrigued by the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918. Of those who contracted the flu, 20% died. 50-100 million died worldwide — about 5% of the entire world’s population, over the course of a year.

This happened during WWI, and the massive troop movements likely led to the spread and hastening of the pandemic.

There are some excellent resources available about the Spanish Flu. Probably the best I’ve read is John M. Barry’s The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History.

There have also been some great articles in the Spokesman Review’s “100 Years Ago Today” series that discusses the effect of the Spanish Flu on the Palouse.

• Public gathering ban drives rift through citizenry as flu cases grow
• Flu cases – and deaths – spike
• Dances and other gatherings banned as city tries to stop spread of flu
• Schools closed as flu spreads to the young
• Spiting flu warnings, thousands take to the streets for fair and dance
• City proposes sweeping vaccination program for local youngsters
• Spanish flu comes roaring back
• Spokane residents were no longer restricted by the seven-week-long ban on public gatherings and were ready to join together in song and dance. Everyone assumed that Spokane had weathered the worst of the Spanish flu epidemic. They were wrong.
• Leo Wenzloff was serving a 90-day sentence on bootlegging charges – but he was released early, in recognition of his service as a jail “flu nurse.”
• Schools reopen after flu closure
• Prayer inadequate medicine for local faith healer — note: the wife blamed it on the lack of faith of people present, not on the lack of faith of her healer-husband. 
• Governor clears Washington State in probe into treatment of students with Spanish flu
• Optimism abounded that the flu “epidemic crest” had passed, said a headline. However, the death toll rose to 203 and 145 new cases were reported.
• Fewer than 50 new Spanish flu cases were reported, and this was considered good news since the number continued to decline every day.
• Flu prudence urged as public life comes roaring back
• City takes deep breath of relief as quarantine lifts
• Girl dies day after mother’s funeral as city’s death toll from flu rises to 181
• Spokane was certainly not alone in suffering from the Spanish influenza epidemic.
• City health board continues ban on public gatherings as flu deaths rise
• Nurses battling flu lauded
• Flu death toll rises, but theaters hope for end to ban on public gatherings
• Heady celebration as armistice arrives, but flu fears churn underneath
• The flu epidemic, which seemed to be waning, would come roaring back soon after Armistice Day, possibly because of these gatherings (for Armistice Day).
• Anti-influenza health measures prove challenging to enforce
• The local flu situation took another turn for the worse with 10 more deaths reported in one day.
• The local Red Cross started selling flu masks in the corridor of Spokane City Hall
• Nurse suggests onion poultice to ward off flu
• City health officer says  “the situation is grave … really serious, more serious than the general public seems to realize.”
• After a brief lull, the Spanish flu death toll spiked.
• The city health officer said the flu situation in Spokane “looks better than it has at any other time since the epidemic started.”
• Flu claims Spokane County treasurer; crowds banned at campaign rallies as flu death toll rises
• Flu claims Spokane County treasurer; crowds banned at campaign rallies as flu death toll rises
• The Spanish flu death rate spiked to 69, including 18 deaths in four days.
• Spanish flu fears spread, and facade of confidence begins to crack
• Concerned son writes home with flu fears; found dead when parents arrive
• Editorial declares ‘fresh air’ the best treatment for Spanish flu
• Mixed messages on Spanish flu’s progress, but signs remain troubling
• Flu hospital overwhelmed as nurses get ill
• 300 Washington State students sick with Spanish flu
• Glimmer of hope a thin cover on city’s fear as Spanish flu continues to spread
• Growing influenza crisis creates demand for able nurses
• City health official puts his foot down on influenza crisis
• Flu death toll rises to 15 as city takes more action to limit crowds
• Hotel owners object to city’s takeover over of building as flu hospital
• Public calm wavers as death toll from Spanish flu continues to rise
• Flu cases continue to rise, but only two dead
• Spanish flu sweeping through Northeast
• Reports of Spanish flu on East Coast reach Spokane
• Flu epidemic getting worse on East Coast and spreading west
• Sash company turns production to war work
• Local action called for as Spanish Influenza spreads
• Spanish influenza arrives in a rush
• Spanish influenza rears its ugly head
• First local deaths in 1918 flu pandemic reported as hospitals hit capacity
• Frenzy of countermeasures as Spanish flu takes hold
• Health ordinance puts strict ban on public congregation
• Spanish flu spikes at Gonzaga, Hillyard neighborhood

Barry believes that the virus actually originated in Kansas.

Crapitalism a.k.a. crony capitalism, corporatism, or democratic capitalism. 

We don’t have capitalism in the USA, never have. 

Bottom Line: Under free market capitalism, the most innovative, consumer-friendly corporations are successful and make the most money. Under democratic capitalism and crony capitalism, the most pro-producer, corrupt and manipulative corporations make the most money.

HT: MJP

It’s been interesting examining the photos coming out of the caravan of refugees. 

I see porta-potties along the path (thanks, Soros!). There are people with nameteags. Lots of cameras. Cell phones. Plenty of water bottles and food in containers along the way. 

This isn’t a caravan of refugees. It’s politics drama at its highest, designed for them to arrive at the US/Mexico Mexico border right on time for the midterm elections. 

A Gaudy and Spectacular Flim-Flammery