The Spanish Flu of 1918: the history of a deadly pandemic and lessons for coronavirus

Summary

The video script explores the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, comparing its origins, spread, and impact to the current COVID-19 crisis. It delves into the pandemic's origins, its unusually high mortality rate among young adults, and the global response that led to the creation of the World Health Organization. The script highlights lessons learned from the past, the importance of scientific understanding, and the emotional toll of pandemics, urging viewers to remember and learn from history.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The 2020 global coronavirus pandemic is a significant historical event, causing widespread disruption and loss of life, with parallels to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic.
• 🔬 The origins of the Spanish flu are disputed, but it is believed to have started in the United States or Europe during World War I, spreading rapidly among soldiers and civilians.
• 🏥 The Spanish flu was particularly deadly, with symptoms including hemorrhaging in the lungs and respiratory failure, leading to a high mortality rate among healthy adults.
• 📈 The pandemic had a significant impact on the global economy and society, with cities that implemented strict interventions seeing better economic recovery post-pandemic.
• 🌐 The Spanish flu pandemic led to the creation of global health agencies and the World Health Organization, emphasizing the need for international coordination in health crises.
• 📊 Differences in response strategies to the Spanish flu, such as quarantine measures and public health campaigns, resulted in varying death rates and outcomes across different regions.
• 💉 The scientific understanding of viruses and epidemiology advanced significantly after the Spanish flu, leading to better preparedness for future pandemics.
• 🚫 Misinformation and fake news were prevalent during the Spanish flu, similar to the current situation with the coronavirus, highlighting the importance of accurate information dissemination.
• 📚 The emotional and psychological toll of the pandemics is profound, affecting individuals and communities deeply, with long-lasting impacts on mental health and societal well-being.
• 🔄 The blame game and scapegoating seen during the Spanish flu, such as labeling it the 'Spanish flu' despite its origins being elsewhere, is mirrored in the current pandemic with similar attributions.
• 🚨 Lessons from the Spanish flu pandemic, including the importance of early action, scientific research, and international cooperation, are crucial for shaping the response to the current and future pandemics.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 2020 global coronavirus pandemic in relation to history?

The 2020 global coronavirus pandemic is a defining moment in history that has brought 21st-century life to a standstill, causing widespread pain, suffering, and death, and is similar in impact to the 1918-1920 Spanish flu pandemic.

What is the estimated death toll range for the 1918-1920 Spanish flu pandemic?

The global death toll for the Spanish flu pandemic is disputed and ranges from 17 million to 50 million, and in some estimates, even up to 100 million deaths worldwide.

Why is the 1918-1920 pandemic commonly referred to as the Spanish flu?

The pandemic is called the Spanish flu because Spain, a neutral country during World War I with no press censorship, was one of the first to report on the outbreak openly, leading to the misconception that it originated there.

How did the Spanish flu spread so rapidly during World War I?

The Spanish flu spread rapidly due to the movement of soldiers in cramped and overcrowded conditions on troop ships, trains, and in prisoner-of-war camps, which were ideal for the virus to propagate.

What were the unusual symptoms of the Spanish flu compared to typical flu?

Unlike typical flu symptoms, the Spanish flu caused hemorrhaging in the lungs and edema, leading to people effectively drowning in their own bodily fluids.

How did the Spanish flu pandemic affect different age groups compared to the coronavirus pandemic?

The Spanish flu was unique in that it killed a large number of healthy adults between 18 and 44 years old, whereas the coronavirus pandemic has primarily affected elderly people with greater risk of complications.

What were the differences in the response to the Spanish flu in different cities in the United States?

Cities like Milwaukee implemented early social distancing measures and closed public spaces, which resulted in a lower death rate compared to Philadelphia, which was slower to act and held a large gathering that led to a significant outbreak.

How did the aftermath of the Spanish flu pandemic influence the scientific and global health community?

The Spanish flu led to a greater focus on virology and epidemiology, and the creation of global health agencies, with the World Health Organization being a descendant of those early efforts to coordinate international responses to health crises.

What economic insights were drawn from the 2020 paper by researchers at the Federal Reserve and MIT regarding the Spanish flu?

The paper found that US cities which implemented strict interventions for longer periods during the Spanish flu pandemic also experienced better economic recovery, as fewer deaths meant more people were available to return to work after lockdowns ended.

What similarities exist between the public response to the Spanish flu and the coronavirus pandemic?

Both pandemics have seen a 'blame game' where people look to assign responsibility for the outbreak, as well as the spread of misinformation and fake news, which has led to harmful consequences in both instances.

How might the emotional toll of the coronavirus pandemic compare to that of the Spanish flu?

Like the Spanish flu, the coronavirus pandemic will have a profound psychological effect on individuals and communities, with lasting impacts on those who have lost loved ones, jobs, or have been otherwise affected by the crisis.

Outlines

00:00

😷 The Spanish Flu and Its Impact on the World

This paragraph discusses the 2020 coronavirus pandemic as a defining moment in history, drawing parallels to the 1918-1920 Spanish flu. It explains that the Spanish flu is believed to have infected a significant portion of the global population and resulted in a disputed death toll ranging from 17 million to 100 million. The origins of the Spanish flu are disputed, but it is commonly thought to have started in the United States and spread to Europe during World War I. The flu was named 'Spanish' due to Spain's lack of wartime press censorship, which allowed news of the outbreak to spread. The paragraph also highlights the differences in symptoms and mortality patterns between the Spanish flu and the coronavirus, noting that the former was particularly deadly to young adults. It emphasizes the lack of medical interventions at the time and contrasts this with today's advanced treatments and preventative measures.

05:00

🛑 Response and Recovery from the Spanish Flu

This paragraph delves into the response to the Spanish flu, detailing the rapid spread of the virus in crowded wartime conditions and the severe symptoms that led to high mortality rates. It contrasts the responses of different cities, such as Milwaukee and Philadelphia, to illustrate the effectiveness of early and strict interventions in controlling the spread of the disease. The paragraph also discusses the economic implications of the pandemic, suggesting that cities with more effective interventions experienced better economic recoveries. It further explores the long-term effects of the Spanish flu on scientific understanding and global health infrastructure, leading to the development of virology and epidemiology as fields of study and the establishment of the World Health Organization. The paragraph concludes by drawing a parallel between the blame and misinformation surrounding both the Spanish flu and the current coronavirus pandemic, highlighting the human tendency to seek scapegoats and the dangers of fake news.

10:02

🌏 Lessons from the Spanish Flu for Today's Pandemic

The final paragraph reflects on the profound impact of both the Spanish flu and the current coronavirus pandemic on individuals and society as a whole. It emphasizes the importance of learning from history and remembering the lessons and lives lost. The paragraph also touches on the emotional toll of the pandemics, the challenges faced by healthcare workers, and the collective psychological effects on the population. It concludes by urging the retention of these lessons to better prepare for and respond to future pandemics, underscoring the significance of historical memory and collective resilience in the face of global crises.

Keywords

💡Pandemic

A pandemic refers to an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. In the script, the term is used to describe both the 1918 Spanish flu and the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, highlighting the global impact and the significant disruption to life these events caused.

💡Spanish flu

The Spanish flu was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic that swept the world from 1918 to 1920. It is estimated to have infected between 20% and 40% of the world's population at the time, with a death toll that is still disputed but ranges from 17 million to 50 million, and possibly up to 100 million. The script uses the Spanish flu as a historical reference point to compare with the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

💡Influenza

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. The script discusses the Spanish flu as a particularly deadly strain of influenza, emphasizing the rapid spread and high mortality rate among young and healthy adults, which contrasts with the typical pattern of seasonal flu.

💡Censorship

Censorship refers to the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. The script mentions how during World War I, countries fighting in the war had strict censorship, which suppressed news of the lethal flu to avoid affecting morale, while Spain, being neutral, did not have such censorship, leading to the misnomer 'Spanish flu'.

💡Quarantine

Quarantine is a measure taken to prevent the spread of disease by isolating people who may have been exposed to the disease. The script discusses how quarantine measures, such as the 5-day quarantine imposed by American Samoa, were used to control the spread of the Spanish flu, contrasting with the lack of such measures in Western Samoa, which led to a higher death rate.

💡Ventilators

A ventilator is a machine that helps people breathe when they are too sick to do so on their own. The script contrasts the lack of medical interventions like ventilators during the Spanish flu with the modern use of such equipment in treating severe cases of COVID-19, illustrating the advancement in medical technology over the past century.

💡Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control health problems. The script mentions the development of epidemiology as a field following the Spanish flu, indicating a greater focus on understanding and controlling the spread of diseases.

💡World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The script notes the creation of the WHO as a descendant of the global health agencies established following the Spanish flu, emphasizing the need for a coordinated international response to pandemics.

💡Misinformation

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of whether there is an intent to deceive. The script discusses the prevalence of misinformation during the Spanish flu, with fake remedies being sold, and draws a parallel to the spread of misinformation and fake news during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

💡Blame Game

The blame game is a term used to describe the tendency to attribute fault or responsibility for a problem to others. The script highlights how the Spanish flu was misattributed to Spain due to its neutral status during the war and press freedom, and compares this to the contemporary practice of blaming certain countries or groups for the coronavirus outbreak.

💡Preparedness

Preparedness refers to the state of being ready for an event or situation. The script warns about the lack of preparedness for pandemics despite past experiences with SARS and MERS, and suggests that the current coronavirus pandemic may prompt a reevaluation of how countries prepare for and respond to such emergencies.

Highlights

The 2020 global coronavirus pandemic is a defining moment in history, causing widespread pain, suffering, and death.

Scenes in hospitals during the 2020 pandemic are reminiscent of those from the 1918-1920 Spanish flu.

The Spanish flu infected between a quarter and a third of the world's population, with a disputed death toll ranging from 17 million to 100 million.

There are theories that the Spanish flu originated either in the United States or from the trenches of the Western Front during World War I.

The term 'Spanish flu' arose because Spain, a neutral country during World War I, did not censor news about the outbreak.

A second, more deadly wave of the Spanish flu struck in August 1918, spreading globally during World War I.

Symptoms of the Spanish flu included severe respiratory issues, with people often dying from their lungs filling with fluid.

Unlike COVID-19, the Spanish flu primarily killed healthy adults between 18 and 44 years old.

Lack of pharmaceutical interventions and vaccines made the Spanish flu particularly deadly.

Responses to the Spanish flu varied significantly, with places like American Samoa implementing strict quarantines to avoid deaths.

Milwaukee's early social distancing measures resulted in a significantly lower death rate compared to cities like Philadelphia.

The Spanish flu spurred advancements in virology and epidemiology, leading to better pandemic preparedness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established as a response to the global need for coordinated health efforts.

The emotional and psychological toll of pandemics, like the Spanish flu and COVID-19, has long-lasting impacts on individuals and societies.

Misinformation and fake remedies during pandemics are not new phenomena, with parallels seen in both the Spanish flu and COVID-19 outbreaks.

Transcripts

2020 global coronavirus pandemic is a

defining moment in history

grinding 21st century life to a

standstill and causing pain suffering

and death to thousands these are the

scenes in hospitals around the world and

yet as unfamiliar as all this is to us

today's images are similar to these this

was a hundred years ago during the 1918

to 1920 Spanish flu

that deadly influenza is thought to have

infected between a quarter and a third

of the world's population at the time

and the global death toll is still

disputed to this day with it ranging

from 17 million dead to 50 million to

even a hundred million deaths worldwide

so what exactly was the Spanish flu and

why was it so deadly and how did that

pandemic change the world a hundred

years ago and can it tell us anything

about our response to coronavirus today

where did the Spanish flu come from the

origins of this particularly deadly

strain of the flu is disputed the common

theory is that it began in the United

States in March 1918 among soldiers at

Fort Riley in Kansas those men were

preparing for deployment to the Western

Front

thus transporting the flu from North

America to Europe during World War one

the other theory is that it came

directly from the trenches on the

Western Front when soldiers on both

sides began suffering from a novel type

of influenza either way it spread

quickly among soldiers in Europe and

eventually further afield but wise

Spanish Bleu given that whatever its

origins it did not start in Spain while

countries fighting in the war had strict

censorship of the press and news of a

lethal flu was suppressed because it

might affect a nations morale but when

the flu spread to Spain well they were a

neutral country during the war and there

was no press censorship around the flu

outbreak in fact authorities there

thought they were the only European

nation battling dis influenza

hence it became known as the Spanish flu

a second more deadly wave struck in

August 1918 hitting the ports for

Freetown in Sierra Leone Brest in France

and Boston in the United States and it

then spread across the world on an

unprecedented scale during World War one

now they are on the move

in cramped overcrowded conditions which

is an absolute dream for infinite

influenza virus to spread and so on

those overcrowded troop ships on troop

trains in prisoner-of-war camps it

spreads very rapidly indeed but what

were the symptoms it would initially be

like normal fluke shortness of breath

sore muscles high fever headaches and

then it would progress they would begin

to have hemorrhaging in their lungs an

edema in the lungs that their lungs

would begin to fill with their own

bodily fluids which would mean that

literally people would be kind of

drowning in their own fluids the Spanish

flu was different to today's corona

virus for example it killed a large

number of healthy adults between 18 and

44 years old that seems to follow a very

different pattern to the corona virus

outbreak today where elderly people are

at greater risk of complications from

the disease and this all took place in

the aftermath of a world ravaged by

global war a particularly devastating

time for a pandemic to strike and

remember back then they had no

pharmaceutical interventions and had not

even begun any notion of a vaccine given

they didn't even know it was a virus

today we are so much more advanced and

the help of ventilators and other

treatments are helping us to treat

people and save countless lives much of

the spread of the Spanish flu was down

to the movement of people after the war

and we can see differences in how

countries were affected by the way they

dealt with arriving ships take the

example of two islands Western Samoa and

American Samoa wrist and Samoa after the

Pacific is affected by a New Zealand

ship it undergoes probably the worst

experience of Spanish flu around the

globe about 25% of the population of

West and Samoa died in the Spanish forty

miles to the east in American Samoa they

imposed a strict five-day quarantine for

all boats that had influenza they

reported no debts over in the United

States six hundred and seventy five

thousand people who died from the

Spanish but again there were differences

in some city

in Milwaukee in Wisconsin the death rate

was just under 300 per 100,000 people in

Philadelphia Pennsylvania it was more

than double what was the reason for this

disparity

well Milwaukee was ahead of the curve

guided by a health commissioner who very

early on launched a campaign of posters

and efforts calling on people to avoid

crowds and transport they did early

social distancing they closed saloons

and public gatherings they closed down

the schools and churches they asked

people to stay away from one another on

the other hand in Philadelphia they

didn't move as quickly and held a huge

liberty loan parade in late September

that prompted a huge outbreak suddenly

the health care system is completely

overwhelmed everything from nurses and

doctors all the way through to those who

could dig graves those who could could

build caskets are simply overwhelmed and

people are frankly unable to give to the

sick the dying and the dead the kind of

respect that they really deserved under

2020 paper from researchers at the

Federal Reserve and MIT found that those

US cities that had strict interventions

for longer also saw a better economic

recovery given that the Spanish flu

killed so many working age adults if a

city managed to limit the number of

deaths the more people there were to go

back to work

once the lockdowns ended but what about

after the peak of the pandemic well in

Australia the country managed to avoid

the second wave of the Spanish flu but

they did not avoid it completely and

they put in place

maritime quarantine in the in the latter

half of 1918 and managed to keep out the

most vicious wave of the pandemic but

unfortunately they lifted that

quarantine too early in 1919 and left

let in the third wave and 12,000

Australia has died in that way in the

longer term doctors and scientists

realized that they had got the flu very

wrong and needed to expand their

knowledge remember back then many

thought influenza was caused by bacteria

rather than it being caused by a virus

after 1918 there was more of a focus

from the scientific community to be

better prepared in the future starting

from the 1920s is that virology takes

off as a field

viruses also epidemiology which is the

study of patterns and causes an effect

and given that many countries struggle

to cope with the pandemic there was also

a desire to have a better global

response and thus 1918 began a process

which sought the creation of the World

Health Organization we created the first

global health agencies after that

pandemic because we understood the need

to coordinate an international response

the w-h-o is the descendant of that and

unfortunately we've moved away from the

understanding of the necessity of that

kind of agency

it's very easy with the benefit of

hindsight to say what worked and what

didn't work during the Spanish flu and

say that what work then might be able to

work now as I speak we cannot be a

hundred percent sure what is and what is

not working for example many are now

questioning whether we can rely on the

data out of China we're still assessing

evaluating and understanding the exact

nature of the coronavirus and what works

to stop its spread but there are some

other similarities with the Spanish flu

starting with the name the fact that it

was and still is labeled the Spanish

room shows how people and countries

often look to blame someone for such an

outbreak that blame game is being

repeated again today why do you keep

calling this the Chinese virus there are

reports of dozens of incidents and by

bias against Chinese Americans in this

country why are you keep using this it's

not racist at all no it comes from China

in the face of the threat that an

epidemic poses to life an almost natural

human responses to say who is to blame

who is responsible it's him and that

also feeds off misinformation or fake

news something that was prevalent 100

years ago and is happening now back then

there was fake news and fake remedies

the idea that alcohol would protect you

and special Alexia's for sold to people

who thought they would be safe so to

today fake remedies are being offered as

well as conspiracies in the UK arson

attacks have taken place on telephone

masts because people believe the

completely full theory that the new 5g

network is spreading coronavirus large

numbers of people who don't pay to get

their news get it from social media

sites or other I'm not necessarily

getting good sources of information so I

think that's an old problem that has a

very modern twist on it

furthermore many public health experts

have warned us for years that we have

not been preparing for a pandemic

even though recent examples of SARS or

MERS have shown that outbreaks can

happen again people have been urging us

in our local communities to think

carefully about how we will be ready for

the next big emergency

many of us have not taken them seriously

enough perhaps this outbreak may change

how countries respond to pandemics in

the future because let's not forget one

key similarity between the Spanish flu

and today the emotional toll this will

happen a man said to me I was 10 in 1918

when my mother died this was in 1998 so

he's a man well into his ages I was 10

when my mother died in 1980 and I have

missed her ever since how do you say

that that's not a life changing

experience 2020 like a hundred years ago

will have a huge psychological effect

not just on those who have lost jobs who

are struggling for money or who are

living apart from their family but the

countless lives lost around the world of

the devastating stories of people not

being able to attend their loved ones

funeral of the doctors and nurses that

have died trying to save lives just like

with the Spanish flu this is a profound

moment in history but we cannot let it

simply pass into history books we must

remember what we have learnt and

remember those we have lost

[Music]

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