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63 new flu cases reported to health authorities of Salt Lake
2 deaths and 63 new cases were reported. Coalville was one of the hardest hit areas with the family that owned the grocery coop and the mayor all sick. Authorities are considering banning public funerals. This shows that everyone was at risk--even city officials. -
All Indoor Meetings Cancelled
The state health board bans all inside meetings in Salt Lake City. SLC becomes a "closed" city. This would also be a good practice in the event of a modern epidemic since many diseases are spread easily from person to person. -
Spitting is Banned
Any caught spitting onto a public street will be fined $1.00. I find this one amusing since spit is definitely one way disease can be spread. I wonder how well the ban worked? -
20,000 Pamphlets Distributed
The boys scouts are to deliver 20,000 pamphlets. The health department wants one to be in every home in Salt Lake County. Dozens on new cases are reported. Wouldn't the boys have been at risk going from house to house? There would be no need for information to be spread this way with our modern means of communication. -
Richfield Bans All Public Meetings
In an attempt to stem the spread of flu, the city of Richfield bans all public meetings including church and school meetings. Again, it really seems the only recourse the cities had was to try and ban people from getting together in large groups. -
Store Sales Banned
Stores are banned from sales that draw big crowds of women. I find this one amusing as well since the ban is aimed exactly at women who might be trying to save a nickel. Today, many of these types of stores have gone the way of the Internet. -
Patients to be Fed by Schools
Because so many families are stricken with the flu, domestic science teachers around the city will be cooking and delivering hot meals. This wouldn't be able to happen today since domestic science facilities are limited in schools. Also, schools don't do their own cooking--just reheating. However, the need would still be there in a modern epidemic. -
Bingham City Universally Wears Hospital Masks
The entire city of Brigham decided to wear hospital masks to control the spread of influenza. I wonder how easy it was to find the materials to make masks when everyone would have been trying to make a mask. -
New Cases Reported
101 new cases of influenza reported. The health departments asks all doctors to report cases to the state. This seems to be when influenza was starting to spread rapidly in the state. -
Ward Teaching Banned
Weber Stake bans ward teaching. I wonder if people were still trying to check on neighbors even with the spread of influenza. -
Utah in Grip of Influenza
138 towns are in the grip of influenza. Influenza cases in the state are estimated to be at 20,000. This seems to be the height of the crisis. -
School Teachers Called as Nurses by Red Cross
Hundreds of teachers are asked to help as nurses with the Red Cross. The article refers to the teachers who haven't volunteered so far as "slackers" for just sitting at home and collecting their salary. This is my favorite article by far! I wonder how many teachers were just trying to stay healthy themselves. -
Face Masks Become Mandatory
Face masks are to be worn by all people in Utah in their places of business. Directions for making your own face mask are included in the article -
Homes to be Placared
Homes with cases of influenza must have a placard with INFLUENZA in large letters. Most deaths from influenza are found to be between 18-40 years old. It is interesting that most of the deaths were in the population that would seem to be less susceptible. -
Influenza Reports Waning
Health department reports fewer cases being reported. It is believed influenza is waning. -
Provo Bans all Public Meetings
Provo City bans anyone from appearing in public without a mask. All public meetings are canceled. The disease would have spread from SLC to smaller cities much like any epidemic. -
Innoculations Opened Around the City
Innoculation stations opened around the city to insure every person has the opportunity to receive the vaccine. How much did the innoculations stop the spread of disease or was it a case of too little, too late. -
LDS to Pray for Overthrow of Influenza
LDS Church services are canceled as members are asked to pray for world overthrow of influenza. I am interested in how the spread of influenza in Utah compares to other places in the world. Considering they are asking for prayers in December even though it seems to have waned in Utah, I am guessing that other places were still in the midst of the crisis. -
Picture Theaters Open Again
Ogden opens movies theaters to the public. -
Provo Lifts Ban
Provo lifts the ban on all public meetings. -
Schools Open
Schools will be opened on December 30. School will continue without a New Year's break. An extra hour is added to each day to help students make up the lost time. It is interesting that this is the last event since it shows people are confident the crisis has passed. Today it would be difficult to keep schools closed for this many weeks. Many families rely on schools to take care of their children while they are at work.
