Deep Lessons and Insights from the Spanish Flu of 1918 and How We can Apply those in the Present Times

As the first world war raged on in 1918, an enemy of a different kind began to attack all of humanity regardless of their nationality, age or gender.

The Spanish Flu erupted and was active for two years until 1920. It spread rapidly throughout the world and ranks next only to the Bubonic Plague of 1346 in the magnitude of devastation that it caused.

The flu was transported through travelling soldiers as they were shipped out to various parts of the world to fight. It is estimated that between approximately 500 million people contracted the deadly virus and between 15 to 100 million people died from it.

A coordinated response by a global community meant that world governments and medical professionals came together to help curb the spread of the virus. However, there was no cure to the pandemic.

And with no cure to counter the pandemic, the only measures in place were non-pharmaceutical based. These included isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants and limits being placed on public gatherings.

You may be wondering

What were the origins of the Spanish Flu and how did it become so rampant in spreading throughout the world?

How did the flu spread and which countries and regions were affected by it?

How did world governments respond in countering the pandemic and what were the measures undertaken?

How did people react to the outbreak and what were some of the changes in their mindset as they underwent the experience?

What are some of the lessons we can learn from the pandemic in order to be better prepared should a similar virus erupt again in the future?

• Detail on the origin of the Spanish Flu, what it was, how did it erupt and began to spread rapidly

• How it began to mutate as it spread in consecutive waves around the globe

• What are some of the theories that evolved to explain the outbreak of the deadly virus, how it affected the way people thought and the superstitions that developed around it

• What were the reactions in countering it and as a result what were the medical advancements that those efforts led to

• What social changes occurred during this time given that everyone from almost all walks of life were drawn to help fight pandemic

• How the world came together as one to understand the virus, formulate a coordinated response and began an ensuing fight against the silent killer

• The lessons we have learned so far as a result in helping us being better prepared to counter something similar should it erupt in the future, including the ongoing virus pandemic

• And much more!

It is often said that we must learn from history to avoid similar mistakes in the future. Understanding the Spanish Flu will give us invaluable insights on many facets of how we should react to the current crisis and deal with it. What preventive measures we can take now and be aware of, going forward.

This book answers these questions and offers some insights in enabling us to be better prepared.