"Flu Masks" 1918-1919: a timeline of Argus-courier articles about the Influenza pandemic of 1918 in Petaluma
By cowilli
-
Much advice was given
"If the patient complains of fever and headache, he should be given water to drink, a cold compress to the forehead and a light sponge. Only such medicine should be given as is prescribed by the doctor. It is foolish to ask the druggist to prescribe and may be dangerous to take the so-called 'safe, sure and harmless' remedies advertised by patent medicine manufacturers. -
The "Flu" Masks Hits Town
First masks seen in Petaluma... "Half a dozen passengers who alighted at the depot wore their masks and kept them on, these being the first masks to be seen on the streets of this city. In San Francisco, orders have been given that all persons who appear on the streets must wear these masks." -
S.F. was under mask orders
...and several broke those orders. "There were 110 arrests in San Francisco Sunday for failure to wear the flu masks." -
Fancy masks...
...were made from chiffon or crepe de chine. "Some of the local ladies who have chiffon or crepe de chine at hand have fashioned dainty flu masks from these materials and they are dainty and more effective than other materials owint to the close meshes. But everybody cannot have them.: -
Not everyone wanted to wear their masks
"M. de Permentier, arrested by Officer Bert Masten was fined $15. He paid five dollars into the coffers of the court and ten dollars to the Red Cross. He resented the officer's advice relative to the flu mask." -
Out driving? In city limits you must wear your mask
Police Chief Flohr reminds everyone to wear masks even in cars -within the city limits. "This statement was made when it was shown that certain persons were under the opinion that masks were not needed by those in autos. ....inside (city limits) the masks must be worn as the chief says that people would forget to put their masks on when they stop the cars or leave the vehicles and there would be constant trouble." -
Where should flu mask fines go?
One suggestion came from the A-C: why not to the War fund Drive? -
Doff those masks!
Starting on Nov 20, San Franciscans were "doffing those masks" as the war ends and all are in jubilation. Rumor has it that Santa Rosa will soon allow the same shortly. The Health Board met on Nov 22 and "It is an open secret that the meeting will be for the purpose of deciding on the date for discarding the flu masks and for removing the health restrictions, owing to the fact taht the influenz is now greatly on the wane and is really mastered." -
Period: to
Things begin to change...
Starting on December 11, the Argus Courier began reporting on the spike in flu cases across the state: DEC 11: Los Angeles reported 650 cases in a 2 hour period. By DEC 19, Napa, San Jose, Modesto, and Fresno all recorded increasing cases. Healdsburg reported an increase on DEC 14. -
Ever hopeful
Petaluma reports "Flu conditions in Petaluma improved" -
The Flu did not take a holiday
The paper reports that there were "five arrests and convictions at Santa Rosa on Monday for failure to wear the flu masks as required by ordinance." -
Tired of masks
Tired of wearing masks, Sebastopol residents (296 of them) signed a petition to re-think the mask ordinance. No action was taken and Dr. J.W. Kerr, health officer, stood "manfully by his guns and secured a postponement until Tuesday afternoon, when it is understood that action will be taken". -
In the meantime...
Santa Rosa is reporting fewer cases - "only seven new cases...reported to Health Officer Dr. R.M. Bonar for the 24 hours ending at noon on Monday". That same week, Cinnabar School opens. -
Schools close
As the days rolled on, some towns were experiencing fewer cases, but Petaluma closed schools "owing to the very light attendance at the different schools since they were reopened on Monday morning." They note that t parents "refused to allow their children to go to school, owing to nervousness & anxiety and again many do not favor the masks so keep their children at home." Since reopening, pupils were required to wear masks at school. -
St Vincent's Academy closes
When St. Vincents school closed, they required students to come to the school to pick up their assignments individually and return home. Teachers were instructed to assign work which will be "expected to cover certain ground...in certain specified time, which work will keep the children busy and will keep them off the street". This plan is similar to others across the State and was designed to keep children from contracting the disease. -
Around the world
As the flu dwindled here, the paper reported flu cases in Australia, England, Japan and other locations. There was some speculation that it might not be 'our' flu, but cases were rising elsewhere with frequency. -
Ups and downs
While Petaluma schools were closing, other towns reported fewer cases. As the month wore on, by Jan 28, Napa, and Ukiah took off mask rules and opened up socializing. That said, San Frnciscans still had mask rules- and were breaking them to the tune of over 100 arrests posted on Jan 22nd. -
And finally winding down....
Stories about the 'flu masks' end in January. And while the flu is still apparent in towns near and far, Dr. R.B Duncan, Health Officer of this city ...informed the Argus that no new cases of influenza have been reported ..for the past 24 hours.". Many articles not included in this timeline included the names of Petalumans who suffered from the flu. Some recovered, and some did not. It was a long, and definitely winding road towards recovery.
