The COVID-19 pandemic has been described as a 'once in a lifetime' event for the United States. And that's probably true, unless you're over 100 years old and were alive in 1918.
America's most deadly pandemic, the H1N1 strain of influenza, known more commonly as the Spanish flu, claimed the lives of more than 675,000 Americans. The country's death total for October 1918 alone exceeded 200,000.
According to www.history.com, the worldwide total of deaths from the Spanish flu exceeded 50 million, more than three times the total of people killed in World War I.
And Alabama and Franklin County were hardly immune from the deadly virus. A look back at 1918 news reports shows an eerie similarity to 2020 coverage of COVID-19.
According to www.alabamapublichealth.gov, Spain experienced the first major outbreak of the virus. As a result, it became informally known as the Spanish flu.
Similar to COVID-19, the Spanish flu seriously impacted adults in the 20-40 age range. Although their fatality rates this year are low, a surprisingly large number of young adults have tested positive.
As with COVID-19, the Spanish flu hit hard in Alabama and Franklin County, although the actual death total will never be known because some of the deceased never had death certificates issued for them.
The first reported Spanish flu cases in Alabama came out of Huntsville. The ADPH's 1918 Alabama Influenza Timeline shows that Madison County Health Officer Dr. C. A. Grote advised the Alabama Board of Health that 11 cases were confirmed in his county on September 28, 2018.
Cases soon followed in Conecuh County, and soon thereafter, all over the state. By October 5, 2018, Huntsville had more than 1,100 reported cases, with seven deaths in one 24-hour period.
The State Board of Health warned residents against using common towels and drinking cups, and to be cautious using telephones, handkerchiefs and other items that might transmit “secretions of the nose and throat” from one person to another.
Alabama Gov. Charles Henderson closed all public places, including schools, churches, theaters and picture shows on October 7, 2018.
By October 13, Huntsville faced a shortage of doctors and pharmacists, as all pharmacists, physicians and prescription clerks, except one, had contracted the virus.
Two days later, businesses were ordered to curtail hours of operation. This included post offices and power companies. On October 22, 2018, health department officials mandated that all Montgomery businesses close by 6 p.m.
This timeline should sound familiar. Many of the same pandemic responses from 1918 are being utilized 102 years later.
In Franklin County, October 1918 saw the Spanish influenza hit residents fast and hard. A Franklin County Times article from October 24, 1918, reported 18 deaths, with many more likely.
It is impossible for the Times to get a full list of the dead, but the following is a list of those who have died since October 17th with pneumonia, following the disease...”
Mass cancellations of events were reported. The Red Cross Chapters in the entire Gulf Division canceled their annual October meetings “in order to give full cooperation in the efforts of the public authorities to check the spread of influenza.” (FCT, October 24, 1918).
A news report from Spruce Pine indicated the virus hit the community, but there was a silver lining.
Our little town is being heavily invaded by the Spanish flu but by the skillful hustle of our esteemed physician, Dr. A.J. Underwood, no direct cases have proven fatal. (FCT, October 24, 1918).
The residents of Franklin County faced at least one health hazard in 1918 that's no longer relevant in 2020. A FCT editorial told the story:
The way people spit on the sidewalks of the business section of Russellville is a fright. Prominent men living within the city limits will go in stores and spit on the merchants floor or take their seats in the door and flood the sidewalk. Just as long as the people continue to do this Russellville and the whole county will continue to have Influenza and other diseases. Spitting spreads disease and, besides, it is one of the most filthy habits a man can have. If you must spit on the floor then go home and spit on your own floor. (FCT, October 24, 1918).
And just as 2020 candidates were largely unable to campaign door-to-door due to COVID-19 concerns, the Spanish flu changed traditional campaigning in 1918, as this letter from Franklin County Sheriff candidate L.T. Todd explained:
It has been my desire to meet every voter in Franklin County and present to him personally my candidacy for Sheriff, but on account of the epidemic of influenza I fear that I may not be able to do so, and I take this method of appealing to you for your support and influence in the coming election to be held Tuesday, November 5, 1918. (FCT, October 31, 1918).
Four weeks ago, in the Franklin Free Press, Russellville City Councilman Jamie Harris told voters the following:
With a national health pandemic, I have made the decision not to use traditional door-to-door campaigning. This decision was made out of respect to your health and the health of your family, which must be our primary concern these days. (FFP, July 29, 2020).
Although our world in 2020 is vastly different than 1918 in many ways, when it comes to pandemics, there's also truth in the old adage: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
(The Franklin Free Press expresses its thanks to Franklin County Archives Director Chris Ozbirn for her assistance with this article).
