Lessons learned from Gunnison and the 1918 flu

In times of war, we rely on the wisdom and advice of seasoned veterans and generals. In a global health crisis, we should rely on the knowledge and guidance of doctors.

Doing so has saved lives in the past.

When Spanish influenza (whose origin was mistakenly attributed to Spain, but the name stuck) ravaged the United States in 1918, the little mountain town of Gunnison, Colo., experienced no cases during the first two waves of illness and only mild cases during the third. This despite the railroad connecting it to Denver, a hotzone for the flu.

How was Gunnison spared?

They listened to doctors.

Dr. F. P. Hanson, the county physician, led the virus response. Gunnison enacted strict quarantine measures — and the people complied. Anyone who didn’t was arrested and placed in quarantine for their own safety and the safety of the community.

We are not recommending forcible quarantining. But we are recommending people listen to the guidance of health experts. When doctors tell you to social distance, do it. When doctors tell you to stay home for your protection and the protection of others who are vulnerable, do it.

We live in a much more connected and, in many ways, a much busier world now than Gunnison in 1918. Some of the measures taken then aren’t feasible now.

We can’t shut down all travel — not in and out of countries, states, cities, towns. Many people can’t stay home. Either they are essential for the continued well-being of others or they can’t afford to stop working.

Some people don’t have a home to stay in.

So while we can’t perfectly replicate Gunnison, Colo., we can follow their example and take health officials seriously. We’re in an election year, and many politicians are more concerned with how the coronavirus fallout will affect their reelection campaigns. It’s well and fine to be worried about the economy and the stock market, but priority should be placed on protecting people first and foremost.

If a politician says one thing and a doctor says another, do what the doctor says.

Researchers also credit some of Gunnison’s success to the town’s weekly newspaper, the News-Champion, which carried at least one front page article about the flu and included advice on avoidance and treatment.

The Dominion Post is doing its best to serve you in the same way the News-Champion served Gunnison. We’ll keep you up-to-date on COVID-19 developments locally, nationally and globally. We’ll stay on top of medical advice and share whatever we discover regarding coronavirus prevention and/or treatment. Since you can’t be out and about in the world, we’ll continue to bring the world to you.

As a community, we won’t emerge from this pandemic completely unscathed. But if we listen to health officials, we will get through this. Stay safe. Stay healthy.