1918 and Now
On October 4, 1918, the Swarthmorean printed the following notice:
A special meeting of the Swarthmore Board of Health was held in Council chamber, Borough Hall, Sunday, September 29, 1918, at 11 o’clock, A.M., to consider the matter of the epidemic of influenza.
The Board passed the following motions: —
That the churches, Sunday schools, public schools and kindergartens of Swarthmore borough be closed for two weeks from September 29 to October 12 inclusive. Also that all enclosed public gatherings in Swarthmore be suspended, for a period of two weeks, beginning Sunday, September 29, 1918.
Lest some be disposed to underrate the gravity of the situation, it is well to mention that there are 200 cases of influenza now in Swarthmore, and that pneumonia is very apt to follow in the wake of the disease. It is contagious, and persons suffering from it should be isolated until danger of infection is over. Our Board of Health believes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and so strives, in the most effective way, to check the spread of the epidemic.
On November 1, 1918, readers learned that there had been only two influenza deaths in the borough, “a fact which speaks well for the place and its fine force of doctors.”
As of this writing (Tuesday morning, March 31, 2020), there are seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Swarthmore and no deaths.
I don’t know whether there were further Swarthmore deaths from influenza reported later in 1918. I can’t look it up in the old bound volumes in the Swarthmorean office because I’m working from home.
I miss working where any moment the door might open to admit someone wanting to look something up, or pay for an ad, or renew a subscription. (I hope you know that you can subscribe — or resubscribe — online and through the mail while our office is closed. We survived the 1918 pandemic, and we plan to survive this one too, with your help.
I see one good thing, as we settle into new rhythms and routines. As it begins to dawn on us that this pandemic and the related shut-down are not going away any time soon, we see more people trying to figure out what they can do to help.
Volunteerism is up. In this issue, you’ll learn how successful a recent emergency Red Cross blood drive was and see photographs of people finding creative ways to brighten others’ lives (balloons, impromptu concerts). You’ll read about people making masks for medical workers out of scraps of fabric and old pillowcases. Many of you already know how hard the Swarthmore Co-op has been working to keep our community fed. Many of you are part of that effort.
Which brings me to another item from a 1918 Swarthmorean, this one dated October 11. The headline: “Booth’s Restaurant Will Supply Broth Free to Sick Families.”
Mrs. Booth Winter, of Booth’s Restaurant, announces that she will supply all sick families in Swarthmore with beef tea, chicken and lamb broth, free of charge, during their illness. There are entire families stricken with influenza without anyone to wait on them and we feel sure this kind offer will be greatly appreciated by the afflicted ones. Telephone 107 and the broth will be promptly delivered.
Here in 2020, Shere-E-Punjab restaurant in Media has been offering up to 50 free meals a day to anyone who needs one. On Friday, April 3, Swarthmore’s Occasionally Yours will donate 20% of proceeds to the volunteer first responders of the Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association. I’m sure others are doing similar things. I hope you’ll let us know.
Let us know, too, what silver linings you’re finding. In this week’s Unscientific Survey, survey editor Ben Yagoda offers a place for you to share them. Send photos as well.
Here’s a silver lining from me to start things off. It has to do with working from home.
Several years ago, I planted a camellia against the fence outside my window. Right now, writing on my laptop, I can see its blood-red flowers in front of me whenever I lift my head.
Rachel Pastan
Editor
