Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Everyone wore masks during the 1918 flu pandemic. They were useless.
Washington Post ^ | April 2, 2020 | Eliza Mcgraw

Posted on 02/21/2021 4:19:09 PM PST by delta7

People called them “flu fences” and “chin sails.”........ During the influenza pandemic of 1918, officials often advised Americans to wear face masks in public. Doctors believed that masks could help prevent “spray infections,” according to historian John M. Barry in his book, “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History.” Enforced by local health officials, the facial coverings grew routine. Often, Red Cross chapters fashioned and distributed the masks that were “seen everywhere and would become a symbol of the epidemic,” Barry wrote. Americans used the masks as a method of retaining some normalcy during a pandemic that killed at least 675,000 Americans and 50 million people worldwide. If directed to wear a mask, homemade worked. “Take a piece of gauze the size of a sheet of typewriter paper,” said instructions in the Atlanta Constitution. “Fold it twice, so that it will fit an envelope. Then attach strings to the four corners and tie these strings at the back of the neck. The mask covers the nose and mouth, so that the wearer breathes through four thicknesses of gauze. A clean handkerchief is just as good as the gauze.” Now, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is debating whether it should recommend that people wear masks when they go outside. In 1918, with a different virus, it didn’t help. Iowa’s State Board of Health reminded those sewing masks to add some “colored worsted [a type of yarn] or tape” on the part of the mask that would be the outside. The upper margin was to be drawn tightly over the bridge of the nose, right under the eyes. Masks were to be washed after each use, and boiled for five minutes before wearing again.....

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: coronavirus; faketitle; influenza; learnhowtopost; masks; moreoldnews; oldnews
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-112 last
To: delta7

And actually mask wearing was worse than useless. The esteemed Dr. Fauci even wrote a paper about it. Pointing out the uselessness of the mask and the diirect link to bacterial pneumonia deaths.


101 posted on 02/21/2021 9:22:22 PM PST by sageburn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jonrick46

Ummm...They aren’t wearing masks for virus protection.


102 posted on 02/21/2021 9:24:33 PM PST by sageburn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: delta7

masks, distancing, and quarantining HEALTHY people has NEVER been done, ever in the history of mankind.

Fear? Control? Planned destruction of the world’s economy?


Yes.


103 posted on 02/21/2021 9:24:35 PM PST by Jane Long (America, Bless God....blessed be the Nation 🙏🏻🇺🇸)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jonrick46

I’ve only noticed these folks wearing masks since the hoax China flu.

Not Pre-China flu.

Maybe they’re following idiotic healthcare system and state mandates?


104 posted on 02/21/2021 9:25:57 PM PST by Jane Long (America, Bless God....blessed be the Nation 🙏🏻🇺🇸)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: ifinnegan

No. Even though coronavirus mitigation measures have significantly reduced influenza infections the influenza vaccinations have also reduced the mortality rate. With the increased availability of vaccines, it would preclude the necessity for face masks. It will be just like the C-virus vaccines will eliminate the need for masks.


105 posted on 02/21/2021 10:40:07 PM PST by jonrick46 ( Leftnicks chase illusions of motherships at the end of the pier.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]

To: relictele

Thank you.


106 posted on 02/22/2021 4:40:13 AM PST by TheRake (If they can force you to wear a mask, they can force you to do other things. Just the beginning.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]

To: humblegunner

Because some people relish in being dumb


107 posted on 02/22/2021 4:41:13 AM PST by stuck_in_new_orleans ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

Bacteria and viruses are two separate entities, jus sayin’.


108 posted on 02/22/2021 6:55:38 AM PST by VTenigma (The Democrat party is the party of the mathematically challenged )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: deport

Is there a difference? Asking for a friend.


109 posted on 02/22/2021 7:00:32 AM PST by VTenigma (The Democrat party is the party of the mathematically challenged )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: VTenigma

A friend said “probably not much”


110 posted on 02/22/2021 7:05:07 AM PST by deport ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 109 | View Replies]

To: relictele

“not used repeatedly and/or for long stretches of days or even weeks. Not hung from a rearview mirror to collect auto exhaust particles, pollen and God knows what else.”

this


111 posted on 02/22/2021 8:02:07 AM PST by MyDogAteMyBallot ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: delta7

How about we also talk about how gas mask wearing soldiers in World War I got Legionnaires Disease?


112 posted on 02/23/2021 6:01:29 AM PST by Morpheus2009 (If you want me to be afraid, then be consistent in your logic, standards, and your lies!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-112 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson