The Mask Slackers of 1918

New York Times ^ | August 3, 2020 | Christine Hauser

[ProtectOurFreedom]

As the influenza pandemic swept across the United States in 1918 and 1919, masks took a role in political and cultural wars.

The masks were called muzzles, germ shields and dirt traps. They gave people a “pig-like snout.” Some people snipped holes in their masks to smoke cigars. Others fastened them to dogs in mockery. Bandits used them to rob banks.

More than a century ago, as the 1918 influenza pandemic raged in the United States, masks of gauze and cheesecloth became the facial front lines in the battle against the virus. ...the masks stoked political division...medical authorities urged the wearing of masks to help slow the spread of disease...some people resisted.

In 1918 and 1919, as bars, saloons, restaurants, theaters and schools were closed, masks became a scapegoat, a symbol of government overreach, inspiring protests, petitions and defiant bare-face gatherings. All the while, thousands of Americans were dying in a deadly pandemic.

The first infections were identified in March, at an Army base in Kansas, where 100 soldiers were infected. Within a week, the number of flu cases grew fivefold, and soon the disease was taking hold across the country, prompting some cities to impose quarantines and mask orders to contain it.

By the fall of 1918, seven cities San Francisco, Seattle, Oakland, Sacramento, Denver, Indianapolis and Pasadena, Calif. had mandatory face mask laws...

Organized resistance to mask wearing was not common. “There were flare-ups, there were scuffles and there were occasional groups, like the Anti-Mask League, but that is the exception rather than the rule.”

At the forefront of the safety measures was San Francisco...By the end of October, there were more than 60,000 cases statewide, with 7,000 of them in San Francisco. It soon became known as the “masked city.”

[discostu]

Part of the problem with how we’re “my way or die in fire” is these things just escalate. Where once churches could have met with government and figured out some middle ground a bunch of the churches just flat out ignore everything, so the government comes down harder, then the churches not only ignore the government but put up signs announcing it, government comes down HARDER. Every single issue in America is now a bad Will Ferrell joke.

Of course it’s not helped by making wrong moves. I understand the fear that’s why they postponed all those surgeries. But the math wasn’t there. Really when most states were kicking around a hundred cases they should have been moving surgeries FORWARD. Get em done before we needed the beds. Wrong steps like that just fuel the argument of the other side.

[DuncanWaring]

My nearest elder is my mother, nearly 2000 miles away.

I don’t really think she cares whether I wear a mask or not.

[suijuris]

The tide is changing.......be ready, you will be wearing a mask until this virus is under control.

You are on the wrong forum. The National Socialist Party meeting is down the hall on the left.

[David Chase]

Sorry, the numbers I have are 3.35% fatality rate for Covid-19.

Your terror or lack thereof is your business.

How about you do something greater for someone else. Someone you don’t even know. Wear a mask and grow up.

[David Chase]

A mask in not political.
Be mature. Think for yourself.

States with trusted proven Conservatives require mask.
Now grow up a little.

[P-Marlowe]

I am “at risk” in 4 categories and frankly I’d rather die than have to live in a country of men without faces. The reaction to this virus is literally insane. Everyone is eventually going to be exposed to this disease and the lockdowns will not save a single life but it will cost millions of lives through depression and suicide and failure to seek treatment for underlying diseases. The promise was 14 days to “slow the spread”. We all put up with that. Now it’s called “The New Normal”. Well if that’s the new normal then I want off this planet.

I recently took a short vacation to a liberal seaside town where just about everyone wore masks outside and would act like you were a leper if you didn’t. I didn’t.

While there I almost killed two mask wearing pedestrians who stepped out into the street without looking. This was on two separate incidents and both of these idiots were alone, outside away from other people but religiously wearing their masks and apparently thinking it made them invincible. I’m sure if I had killed one of them, the local hospital would have listed it as a Covid 19 fatality, and frankly I would have to agree.

Masks are as useless as a a screen door on a submarine. They are nothing more than a virtue signal and a talisman to keep the evil spirits at bay. It’s a religious token. Wear one at you own risk. Just remember to burn your clothes when you get home.

[cuban leaf]

That’s why comparisons to the Spanish flu fall on deaf ears with me.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"Note that in 1918 they didn’t even try to close churches."

Nope, you are wrong. It varied widely by location and jurisdiction, but you can find lots of articles in the 1918 press about churches being closed. Here's one from Humboldt County, California...

As Spanish Influenza swept through the community, officials imposed strict measures against crowds and by mid-October, churches were asked to shut their doors. Even though congregations in Washington, D.C. were continuing to meet outdoors, local faith leaders were asked not to do the same.

Here's another from the Santa Ana Daily Register, December 21, 1918. I could provide many more very quickly.

In response, the local Ministerial Union encouraged families of all faiths to gather and pray together for the “needs of the world, the nation and the community.” They also suggested asked that this be done during the regular hour of church service to create “more united prayer, even though not in one place, certainly of one accord, and of one spirit.” The ministers asked their members to pray for the end of the flu, so that the epidemic might soon be over.

When congregants were allowed to gather toward the end of November, they wore masks. Over the next few years, the flu resurfaced periodically and in February of 1920, the Presbyterian Church in Blue Lake canceled services because of the flu. Instead, families were encouraged to focus on religious activity and supplies were delivered to the church’s Sunday school students so they could continue their studies.

Lastly from 1918...

[Mr Rogers]

Because masks cut California’s infection rate in half just a week after being imposed. Darwin that!

;>(

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“I recently took a short vacation to a liberal seaside town where just about everyone wore masks outside and would act like you were a leper if you didn’t.”

Contrast that to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where the Public Health District passed a mask requirement at the end of July. Driving through downtown CdA last Friday night, about 0.01% of the people on the street and eating dinner were complying. BUT, compliance is almost 100% in stores.

[jeffc]

I think Mr. Chase is trying for the crown of FR’s 21st century Ash...

[David Chase]

You don’t need to die for this. Be safe. Geeez.

I know, you are correct, it was 14 days, but I think everyone was playing as we go. The 14 days didn’t make a huge impact. Look, this is unknown territory we’re all in right now.

It’s not a New Normal either. The duration has a lot to do with if we work together. Protect each other from each other. Hopefully science will make a difference too. But until we stop trying to live like nothing is happening, this virus will continue to impact our lives.

There is no reason to throw In the towel a say if I die I do. Not when you can be pro active and at least try. Besides, how many people, even health care workers will be at risk taking care of you should you become ill?

Stay safe. Peace.

[P-Marlowe]

Since the incubation period for this virus is 14 days, the mask order had noting to do with the reduction in infections a week later. The reduction began at least a week before the order.

[David Chase]

No it did not. Because they’re ignoring the mask policy and it’s not being enforced.

Italy is different.......remember where they were? People dropping like flies. Now they got a grip on this thing.

[MeganC]

I doubt that there will be an effective vaccine for this virus.

SARS and MERS were also coronaviruses and the vaccines for them are at best statistically ineffective and at worst they kill the people who receive them.

If you do a custom Google search from 2010 to 2018 (well before this current issue popped up) you’ll find the same thing I did.

[enumerated]

“You have zero right to infect other people.”

Spoken like a true fear-mongering Leftist.

Do you also believe the one about rising sea levels? That we will all be under water in eleven years? Al Gore the hypocrite wrote a whole book about it, and even found scientists to agree.

Did you fall for the one about gun control? Do I have the right to endanger others by recklessly owning a gun? Guns cause school shootings and all...

Tyranny always begins with doomsday predictions, backed up by well-paid political hack bureaucrats, posing as doctors and scientists. If we don’t surrender our liberties to the state, millions will die and it’s all our fault. We are essentially mass murderers.

[Persevero]

Very enlightening thank you.

I said “notice they didn’t close the churches” based on the newspaper stories in the post. They were just asked to keep their windows open.

But knowing that churches did voluntarily or involuntarily close actually gives me some hope. Obviously they “came back.” I have seen huge damage to the church during this time. Perhaps pruning and sifting should not be considered damage but it seems like it.

[WildHighlander57]

Thanks for posting this!

[P-Marlowe]

The duration has a lot to do with if we work together. Protect each other from each other.

Yes Comrade. We must collectively follow the orders of our fearless leaders. We must march in lockstep with our masks securely attached to our faces.

We will get over this quickly if we just return to the old normal. I have lived through a half dozen if these SARS pandemics. Never once did I wear a mask when I wasn’t robbing a liquor store and never once did I die. Life went on and some people died and nearly everyone never got it or never knew they did.

I’ll take Sweden.

[Jane Long]

Spoken like a true fear-mongering Leftist.

= = = =

Agree.

The fear porn, from some here, is stunning.