Lately, I’ve seen several articles speculating about why the 1918 Flu has generated a lot of recognition or even memorials. I think it was because, as terrible as the flu was, it was seen as just another disease that plagued the population, so it was taken in stride. I’ve done a lot of family history research for the last 40 years, and have found only 1 person in my family who died during the 1918 Flu, but I have found 10 relatives who died of tuberculosis from 1894 to 1930.
The Chinese flus of 1957 and 1968-69 seem to be entirely forgotten, as well. Both of which seem to have been as bad as or worse than the current Chinese virus. Both killed over 100,000 people in the US.
“I’ve done a lot of family history research for the last 40 years, and have found only 1 person in my family who died during the 1918 Flu, but I have found 10 relatives who died of tuberculosis from 1894 to 1930.”
Just remember you’re comparing a one-year pandemic to a 35-year span.