The Great War in Europe was finally winding down and peace was just on the horizon. The Allies, with the Americans joining the battle, came closer to victory than ever. Deep within the trenches for years, these men fought mentally, physically, with their whole being, some of the most brutal conditions of life. What could possibly be worse?
The Spanish Influenza
That fall of 1918, something that seemed as benign as the common cold emerged and spread all across the globe – influenza. This season’s flu, however, proved to be far more than just a common cold or any other flu. In fact, this scourge infected a fifth of the world and took a ghastly estimate of 50 million lives in just two years. The long anticipated peace was suddenly long gone. Subsequently, 1918 would go down as an unforgettable year of loss and despair. A bigger war had begun.
During the early 20th century, not much was known about the flu or exactly how to treat it. From the start of the pandemic, this novel strain of influenza disguised itself as the typical flu, which was managed to be quickly combated. However, just half a year later, the Influenza made a horrific return. The virus had mutated to a much deadlier strain that also spread more rapidly. The most shocking thing that puzzled many about this new mutant strain was that it targeted healthy young individuals instead of the typical target groups as mentioned previously. This anomaly further exacerbated the situation by bringing more uncertainty and fear to the public. Incidentally, public spaces and social hubs were quickly closed down such as schools, libraries and bars. This pandemic brought widespread fear to the world.