Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The 1918 pandemic didn't just go to 1918, but to 1921. (Original Post) babylonsister Apr 2020 OP
Difference between then and now is we have science and technology on our side. Initech Apr 2020 #1
yeah, try getting that out of the repuglikans..... lastlib Apr 2020 #2
Leadership matters regardless. Blue_true Apr 2020 #3
It lasted for three years because we didn't halt non-essentials like we are doing today Polybius Apr 2020 #4

Initech

(99,915 posts)
1. Difference between then and now is we have science and technology on our side.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:50 PM
Apr 2020

Yes, this virus and the quarantine blow. But now we have science and technology on our side and we can develop drugs and vaccines much quicker than we used to. This won't be the Spanish Flu if we don't let it.

lastlib

(22,981 posts)
2. yeah, try getting that out of the repuglikans.....
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 10:59 PM
Apr 2020

...the folks who are saying God sent the virus to turn us away from secularism. Predictable Pat robertson said it was his punishment for teh gayz and aborshun. Other hucksters are selling "cures" on their megachurch websites for "Only" a donation of $19.95....

yeah, we got science and tech on our side, but the other side has stupidity on theirs.

"Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain."--F. Schiller

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
3. Leadership matters regardless.
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:13 PM
Apr 2020

Since Trump leads the most advanced nation, he should be marshaling our vast resources, instead he is engaging in petty acts and seem to be working to silence top scientists. So yes, this is not 1918 circumstances, but we are also much more densely packed population wise than 1918, so leadership ineptitude will still have a seriously damaging impact.

It has been written that Wilson lied to the public about the 1918 Pandemic and was himself very ill from that flu at one point (as was FDR, who was one of his aides). Some believe that more openness and truth to the public would have shortened the outbreak.

Polybius

(15,239 posts)
4. It lasted for three years because we didn't halt non-essentials like we are doing today
Tue Apr 7, 2020, 11:25 PM
Apr 2020

Baseball was not stopped during those years, among many other bad decisions.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The 1918 pandemic didn't ...