In times of major national crises, I turn to history to bring me comfort.

When Sept. 11 happened, I immediately thought of events of the past that must have been equally catastrophic and unbelievable to those who lived through them. And yet, when all seemed uncertain, when the losses and chaos and catastrophe seemed just too much to bear, somehow, the people of the past and our nation endured.

So I find myself at the same place, today. Reflecting on history, considering what it must have been like for those who lived through it, and taking solace, hope, and comfort from that fact. Two events are front of mind for me these days, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, I’ll write about the first, the great influenza pandemic of 1918.

Flu epidemic of 1918

First, of course, is the influenza epidemic of 1918, also known as the “Spanish flu”. Like COVID-19, it was a worldwide pandemic which spread rapidly, overwhelmed medical resources, and killed thousands. It came on suddenly, raged fiercely, then abated.

To get a closer look at what this must have been like in one American city, I looked at newspapers from Nashville, Tennessee, where my grandparents and great-grandparents were living at the time. What I learned was that what we are experiencing today is nothing new. It is only new in our own lifetimes.

On October 1, 1918, the Nashville newspapers were reporting on cases throughout the state, particularly in the military camps. Especially noteworthy was news from Fort Oglethorpe, near Chattanooga, just over the border in Georgia, where many Tennesseans were sent for their basic training. The director of the Tennessee Board of Health urged the public to take precautions, including not using pencils handled by others, avoiding kissing of the “nonessential type”, avoiding crowds, and urging strict isolation for those who were ill. (Tennessean, Oct. 1, 1918)

Concerns among the public began to grow, as rumors about an outbreak and quarantine at the Old Hickory Powder Plant spread throughout the city. Health authorities countered that this was just a rumor, and besides, the flu spread so rapidly that a quarantine, at this point, would be useless. The work at the powder plant must continue, and needless panic caused by unsubstantiated rumors helped no one. (Tennessean, Oct. 4, 1918)

Nevertheless, by October 8, Nashville hospitals were nearing capacity, and city and state health authorities closed theaters, parks, schools and churches. Ten days later, the number of cases entering hospitals had slowed, and by November 3, life in Nashville had almost returned to normal. Bans on public gatherings were lifted, and movie theaters and playhouses were back to capacity crowds.

In slightly more than a month, influenza deaths in Nashville proper neared 400, out of an estimated 40,000 cases.Another 10,000 cases were reported at the Old Hickory Powder Plant, with a little over 250 deaths. The epidemic had come, raged, and abated, in scarcely less than 45 days.

Learn more:

Influenza 1918, documentary from American Experience

Influenza Encyclopedia: The American Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1919: A Digital Encyclopedia from the University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine. Includes entries on 50 American cities, and much more.

The Deadly Virus: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918 from the National Archives.