October 20th, 1918 Rochester and the Influenza pandemic

In NY City, there was an estimated half a million cases with high mortality.

In NY The State Commissioner of Health gave a clear explanation of the influenza virus and described that how individuals reacted could either extend the illness in the State or shorten it. Mask wearing and handwashing were keys to fighting the disease. In addition kissing and even handshaking were recommended to be avoided and what we now call social distancing was encouraged. Taking temperature was one of the best ways to determine whether an individual had a common cold or had influenza.

The essential aspects of the epidemic were laid out to be:

Early detection
Immediate isolation of the patient
The general adoption of mask-wearing
What we now refer to as Social distancing
Washing of hands and belongings.

A possible vaccine for the disease was being tested and touted.

The Red Cross was in need of women and men. It was noted that “Very many of the influenza patients are delirious and require more strength to restrain them than young and inexperienced volunteer nurses have. For this reason, men who have leisure, either day or night, are earnestly requested to come forward and help.”

It was noted that it was a necessity to regularly clean telephone mouthpieces.

The acting Rochester health commissioner was developing a campaign to discourage the returning of merchandise after a shopper tried to return just bought underwear that was too large for her two children who both had influenza. This was already banned in Buffalo.

The National Casket Company was ordered to increase its production of plainer caskets to meet the increased needs due to the influenza pandemic.

In Rochester, the new hospital in the YMCA was open and operating and this was for women. A new hospital at the Baden Street Settlement was to open the next day and that would be for men.

There were 705 additional cases during the day bringing the City total to 5,500. It was noted that this was likely an undercount of several hundred as not all Doctors were reporting these numbers. There were three influenza deaths and two pneumonia deaths. The youngest was Marie Berts aged 4. There were a total of 156 deaths from influenza and pneumonia and 103 from influenza.