Flu Prevention: 5 Critical Lessons from History and What They Mean Today
By Arthur Allen
It's just about impossible to predict what a flu virus is going to do. But history offers a critical guide anyway, showing public health officials which moves are likely to pay off in the battle against the disease.
1. What works: Shutting things down
In the so-called Spanish flu epidemic of 1918–1919, three waves of disease swept the world, killing approximately 50 million people, including 500,000 Americans. But Minneapolis and Milwaukee suffered fewer than 3 deaths per 1,000 people -- less than half the rate in cities like Baltimore, Boston, and San Francisco. One reason: The Midwestern cities quarantined the sick, closed schools and churches, and banned public gatherings. Another city, Gunnison, Colorado, escaped the plague by physically blocking the main roads into town. On the other hand, Philadelphia officials refused to ban meetings or parades on grounds of patriotism, and city newspapers downplayed the flu's severity. The result: Philly had one of the highest death rates in the country. These measures have a cost, of course: Closing schools could force so many parents to miss work that it could hamstring the economy. If the virus doesn’t intensify, U.S. officials say, their advice is to keep schools open as much as possible.
Take-home lesson: Ask your kids' principal what would trigger a school closing, and be prepared. Strategize with friends about sharing child care if the need arises; talk to your boss about working from home.
People should avoid crowdy places and should maintain proper hygiene.
By Mike Manna, 11/02/2009, 4:56 PM EST
Kiev, Ukraine - This is what the government of Ukraine is doing now - shutting the schools and public meetings down for 3 weeks. It probably will work!
By 张高翔, 10/17/2009, 1:22 AM EDT
Sports,the best way to keep life.
By Louisa, 10/06/2009, 9:53 AM EDT
Best prevention methods: wash your hands, wash your hands and wash your hands.
By Peter, 10/06/2009, 9:03 AM EDT
Avoid exessive physical stress. Do moderate exercising at home. Stay away from crowded 'fitness' clubs.
By jerry, 10/06/2009, 3:56 AM EDT
What a bunch of hooey. Everything happens at the local level so refer us to the federal web sites. Encourage people to not take the vaccine because of side effects. This article is bizarre.
If it hits hard, take your kids home and stay there.
By Liz, 10/05/2009, 10:01 PM EDT
Dear Carolyn,
You apparently never lost loved ones to the flu.
i pray you never do.
Liz
By Liz, 10/05/2009, 10:01 PM EDT
Dear Carolyn,
You apparently never lost loved ones to the flu.
i pray you never do.
Liz
By gail, 10/05/2009, 9:28 PM EDT
In addition to vaccination and keeping sick people away from healthy people,
wash your hands
and
keep your hands away from your face.
Get enough rest, exercise, fruits/vegetables, and water.
By Steve, 10/05/2009, 9:23 PM EDT
Hey, the flu is not to be taken lightly. I always get vaccinated. My mother's parents both died in the 1918 flu pandemic, they were in their 20's.
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