Why a 100-Year-Old US Newspaper Article Was Cited: "COVID-19 Response Methods Are the Same"

1918 'Spanish Influenza' Spread: Miami Herald "Wash Hands Well, Avoid Going Out, Limit Meetings"
Netizens "Advice Still Valid During COVID-19"... US CDC "COVID-19 Contagiousness Nearly Same as Spanish Flu"

On the 7th (local time), customers at a large supermarket in Tacoma, Washington, USA, are purchasing toilet paper that has just arrived at the store. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads worldwide and develops into a pandemic, attention is focused on an article published by an American newspaper over 100 years ago during the 'Spanish Flu' outbreak.

The article points out that "efforts to eradicate the epidemic flu are both a private matter and a public duty," advising that "people with suspicious symptoms should not go out on the streets and must self-isolate." Although written 100 years ago, the infectious disease response methods remain valid even after a century, gaining empathy.

On the 17th (local time), an American netizen introduced an editorial-style article titled "Disease carriers" published in the American media 'The Miami Herald' on October 18, 1918.

This article advises on how to deal with the Spanish Flu that was sweeping the world at the time. The Herald said, "Eradicating the influenza (epidemic flu) sweeping this city is both a private matter and a public duty," adding, "If everyone acts according to the doctor's prescription, many achievements can be made."

An article from the Miami Herald published in October 1918 contained advice related to the Spanish flu, which was prevalent at the time. / Photo by Internet homepage capture

It continued, "Everyone who has come into contact with flu patients must remember that they are carriers," pointing out, "Carriers can spread the disease to others through reckless and thoughtless behavior."

It also added, "People with flu symptoms must absolutely not go outdoors," emphasizing, "Just being together in offices, shops, etc., makes them a threat to others."

The article stated, "Some people sneeze loudly or blow their noses in the streets, shops, or offices. However, no one has the right to put others at risk by blowing their nose or sneezing in public places," urging, "With a little consideration and common sense, we can quickly end this disease."

Netizens expressed surprise that the article from over 100 years ago is still valid amid the current threat of COVID-19. One netizen said, "Whether it was the 1918 Spanish Flu or COVID-19, 'people with infectious symptoms should not go outdoors' is good advice," adding, "Infectious disease response methods were the same 100 years ago."

Another netizen said, "This article was written a month before the end of World War I," and commented, "It is really amazing that such an article could be written at that time."

President Donald Trump is attending a press briefing of the COVID-19 Response Task Force held at the White House on the afternoon of the 9th (local time). / Photo by Yonhap News

In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also gives similar advice regarding COVID-19. According to the 'COVID-19 response guidelines' updated on the CDC official website on the 14th, there are sentences such as "Stay at home at all times except when receiving treatment if you have symptoms," and "Always cover your mouth with a tissue when sneezing or blowing your nose."

Meanwhile, the Spanish Flu is known to have first been reported in Chicago, Los Angeles, USA, in 1918. It spread mainly among U.S. Army soldiers who had crossed over to Europe and is reported to have caused more than 50 million deaths worldwide in one year.

Earlier, the CDC warned that if countries do not take appropriate response efforts, COVID-19 could cause massive damage worldwide like the Spanish Flu.

According to the 'New York Times,' the CDC stated at a meeting last month with about 50 experts affiliated with U.S. universities, "If measures to prevent the spread of (COVID-19) are not taken, 160 million to 214 million people in the U.S. alone could be infected with the virus, and 200,000 to 1.7 million could lose their lives."

It added, "The transmissibility of COVID-19 is almost the same as that of the Spanish Flu," and "Compared to all other flu viruses that occurred in the last century, its infectivity and severity of symptom onset are higher."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.