During the Spanish flu of 1918, a shortage of physicians and nurses because of World War I left inexperienced medical students to carry on. Also, the scope of the disease quickly outstipped hospital capacity. More than 25% of the U.S. population became sick, meaning schools -- even private homes -- were pressed into service as makeshift hospitals.
Equally impactful was its effect on society. People were encouraged to avoid public places such as theaters and sporting events. Businesses, their employees sick or quarantined at home, were forced to close.
Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?
--Cooter
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