The Great Influenza - John M. Barry

During these last few months of the pandemic, I’ve heard the phrase “unprecedented times” repeatedly. But is it really unprecedented? The Great Influenza by John M. Barry explains that it is not.

As the title suggests, this book is about the Great Influenza (aka. Spanish Flu, 1918 Flu) encountered worldwide in the year 1918 – about 100 years ago. It perfectly balances the horror stories of the victims, the response of governments, the structure of the disease, and the race to cure influenza. The book also details how influenza has shaped the journey of the American medical system from its infancy to the present day.

I love to read books related to health and history, and this book was a great choice. However, if you’re planning to read this book know that it may be depressing and detailed for these COVID times.

However, I believe it is incredibly important to understand the legacy and lessons of the flu. As George Santayana stated: those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Unfortunately, our COVID response shows that we have forgotten the hard-learned lessons of 1918. COVID has revealed a widespread disregard to personal and public health in our communities. Current federal response in USA, driven by motives similar to the 1918 response, has resulted in an absolute failure to inform and protect the people. The media has sensationalized nuanced information to swing its audience between hopelessness and recklessness. How could we have forgotten the lessons of the 1918 Flu?

Perhaps one answer is the lack of literature about the Great Flu. In 1918, WW1 was raging, and countries placed censorships that limited news about the pandemic. Thus, bad news about influenza was rarely presented to the public. Even after the censorships were removed, the virus was rarely referenced in personal stories, doctor’s books, and articles – hence we experience a collective amnesia.

Now, it is up to us to read make the memory of the COVID pandemic live on. We must prevent future generations from experiencing the same hurdles when another virus inevitably arrives. Getting informed about the past and present is our first step. Here, I have compiled a list of articles, podcasts, and media that you can use to learn:

Easier Sources:

1. The Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918: Explained (closed captions included)

2. Lessons from the 1918 Flu Pandemic

3. Harvard expert compares 1918 flu, COVID-19

4. COVID-19 vs. Spanish Flu – Trevor Noah Show

5. This book taught me a lot about the Spanish Flu

Harder Sources:

1. The Great Influenza by John M. Barry

2. An Unfinished Lesson: What The 1918 Flu Tells Us About Human Nature

3. How does Coronavirus (COVID-19) compare to the Spanish Flu

Extra COVID Sources:

1. CDC

2. WHO

3. Dr. Mike Coronavirus Playlist