Celebrating Lakewood's History - The Influenza Epidemic Of 1918 Hits Lakewood
by Mazie Adams
Lakewood Hospital used the old Robert Rhodes estate (now Lakewood Park) for influenza patients
The Influenza epidemic of 1918-1919 killed as many as 100 million people worldwide. Far different from other influenzas, the Spanish Flu killed a large number of people between 16 and 40 years old. In excess of 5 percent of the people in the world died. Lakewood was also hit by the Spanish Flu outbreak. The local paper, the Lakewood Press, provided coverage of the epidemic, providing some insight into the city’s reaction to the virus.
The Lakewood Press included articles on the new high school building, scheduled to be opened on October 7, 1918. In the paper a “Warning to Public” appeared: “Persons suffering from any kind of a cold should remain indoors, should keep away from crowded assemblies, and should insist upon plenty of ventilation, both in their homes, stores, offices and street cars.” The same issue announced “Lakewood High Open with 1,000 Pupils.”
Lakewood Hospital was added on to because of the 1918 Flu outbreak.
Just one week later, the spread of the flu resulted in “an order…closing places of public assembly in Lakewood for a period of one week at least.” Mayor Byron M. Cook signed the quarantine order, which affected at least 7,000 school children, who found the school doors locked on Monday morning. “All public gatherings are for the time being under police regulation, including dance halls, picture shows, theaters, night schools, lodges and assemblages of similar character. Lakewood Hospital is already filled to capacity and will be unable to care for but very few 'flu' patients.”
By October 31...
You can read the rest of the story here: http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2010/04/20/celebrating-lakewoods-history-the-influenza-epidemic?fbclid=IwAR0o8f3qpw3K1oD-3fPEO-iVOi1oZGA43KQdUGn0rlrtpdvhXw-aYLu7vj8
.