The Disease to Follow Is a Greater Threat

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The Disease to Follow Is a Greater Threat

This year, our nation faced a pair of crises: war and pestilence. Even as our brave men fought for America on Germany soil, an invisible and perhaps more deadly foe took hold in our nation and around the world. Our nation's hospitals face a drastic shortage of staff and space to accommodate adequately both the wounded soldiers who have returned from the war and our civilian population who have fallen victim to influenza. This was a consequence that we could not have foreseen.

It is suspected that the origin of this great epidemic may have been Boston, considering that it is one of the busiest ports in our nation. From there the infection has spread throughout the New England area and reached areas as remote as California. Although this disease is called the "Spanish Influenza" it has spread beyond Spain, Europe and America. Cases from as far as the Orient and even Africa have been documented and verified. Clearly, this is no ordinary flu. However, I believe that this flu is extraordinary not only in its destructive nature, but in casting a legacy of distrust for science amongst the general populace.

In Sierra Leone the flu was brought from Europe and become a deadly epidemic. A report claims that as many as 1,000 individuals had died there in a single week. Furthermore, the shortage of food in the region further execrated the problem. Strangely, the disease did [not] just claim human victims. There were even reports in Sierra Leone of monkeys and other primates who became stricken with the flu. (NY Times)

The flu was perhaps hardest on our troops fighting abroad. Not only did they have to contend with the German infantry's relentless machine gun fire from the trenches, but they also endured some of the harshest conditions in the history of war. Here at home, we could easily put on a mask and avoid those who are infected hoping that we could avoid this virulent disease. But our brave fighting men could not. In the trenches of Germany, they had more to worry about than simply catching a cold. Their survival often depended on the cover fire from their nearest comrade, sick or not. Needless to say, the Americans were not the only party affected by this illness.

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