Pages from history: Coverage of the 1918 flu pandemic in Madison
The cancellations and quarantines of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak draw comparisons to the flu pandemic in 1918, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Also called the "Spanish" flu epidemic, the virus reached southern Wisconsin in the fall of 1918. Here's a look back at some of the Wisconsin State Journal coverage from that time.
Front page of State Journal on Oct. 10, 1918
Front page of State Journal on Oct. 10, 1918.
Front page of State Journal on Oct. 11, 1918
Front page of State Journal on Oct. 11, 1918
Front page of State Journal on Oct. 12, 1918
Front page of State Journal on Oct. 12, 1918.
State Journal, Oct. 4, 1918
State Journal, Oct. 14, 1918
State Journal, Oct. 16, 1918
State Journal, Oct. 23, 1918
State Journal, Oct. 29, 1919
State Journal, Oct. 31, 1918
State Journal, Jan. 23, 1919
State Journal, March 15, 1919
State Journal, March 18, 1919
Poster warns of flu
This poster from 1918 warns factory workers of the symptoms and prevention of the flu.
Influenza sign
A sign from the time warns passersby of the flu.
Widespread cancellation of events, travel restrictions, school closures, quarantines: Americans haven’t seen this kind of response to a public health threat since the 1918 flu pandemic.
The council also passed ordinances that cancel most city meetings during the COVID-19 coronavirus emergency and allow members to attend remaining meetings electronically.
Sen. Ron Johnson and all four GOP representatives from Wisconsin opposed the measures, saying they were rushed.
With Wisconsin's "Safer at Home" order struck down and Dane County's COVID-19 restrictions set to expire May 26, people will be able to resume more normal activities. But are they safe? Here are doctors' answers to frequently asked questions.