Waves of Influenza
The primary wave occurred in the spring of 1918, at that point in the fall of 1918, a transformation of the flu infection delivered a very infectious, destructive, and dangerous type of illness. This subsequent wave caused 90% of the passings that happened during the pandemic. The resulting waves occurred in the spring of 1919 and the spring of 1920. The passings, assessed at somewhere in the range of 50 and 100 million, killed somewhere close to 2.5 and 5% of the worldwide populace. The majority of the casualties were in the prime of their lives.
This death certificate was issued to Sergeant Albert Giles, who died of influenza on 9 February 1919. Official medical records note that 776 Canadian enlisted personnel, of an estimated 50,000 Canadians, died from the flu.
(Headquarters, Military Documents - Flu Death Certificate, 1919)
LIFE DURING THE PANDEMIC
The Spanish influenza was a critical occasion in the advancement of general wellbeing in Canada Numerous organizations were closed down resulting in individuals losing their primary source of income.
- The government started taking measures to keep people safe. However, the lack of coordination between health authorities lead to a lackluster quarantine system, inability to properly fight the illness, and led to “insurmountable chaos” (Gov’t of Canada). Some protocols that were put in place included prohibiting public gatherings, isolating the sick, and compulsory masks.
Sadly, these provisions and rules had little to no effect. Many houses were cheaply constructed and poorly ventilated, so it made physical distancing almost impossible for some families. A Quebec-based newspaper reported, “Over 200 Cases in Winnipeg, While Cities on the Coast Report Growth in Number of Victims” (The Gazette, 1918).
Nearly a year after the pandemic hit, the Canadian Government decided to create the Department of Health in 1919, this established a relationship between the levels of government and formed somewhat of a hierarchy to make public health a joint responsibility.
Many Canadian families were hit extremely hard by this pandemic. They were faced with either choosing to use their hard-earned money on rent or food. Oftentimes, the flu “tended to kill the young and fit”(Wakefield, 2020) Many of the young people developed pneumonia, which would typically hit them in the first few days of contracting the flu. Furthermore, health officials were afraid that people would not report their illnesses so that they could continue working on their jobs so they could pay for rent or food.
Canadians like Mr. and Mrs. Quinn of Montreal and their newborn baby died all on the same day, leaving their 14-month-old as the sole family survivor.
There are almost no personal records of the experiences of people from that time. The only primary source found was the diary of Edward G.R. Ardagh (1879-1967), who was a Professor at the University of Toronto. He kept a daily diary from which the following text was retrieved. On October 25, 1918, he wrote "'Flu' epidemic looks as it if had passed the crest" (Edward, 1918). Obviously, he was mistaken like the rest.