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Buse: Sudburians step up in a pandemic crisis, whether in 1918 or today

Sudbury historian found the 1918 Sudbury public health officer’s report, and it makes for some interesting reading
Station and Durham StreetsSized
The intersection of what's now known as Elgin and Durham streets, close to the present Sudbury.com building, is seen here in the early part of the 20th century. Sudbury historian Dieter Buse is looking at how Sudbury dealt with the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. (Supplied)

The report on 1918 by the public health officer for Sudbury district is worth reading fully and carefully. Under "infectious diseases," it says:

  • There were 12 cases of diphtheria; one patient died.
  • There were two cases of scarlet fever; one patient died.
  • There were nine cases of small pox; one patient died.

The smallpox cases reported during the months of January and March, and one case in June, were all directly traceable to outside sources, having been mostly brought in from the (mining) camps … 

During the month of October (1918) a serious epidemic of Spanish (sic; actually Kansas) influenza broke out, and from the 10th to the 15th we estimate there were some 800 cases. 

It was deemed advisable at a joint meeting of the (town) Council and the Board of Health, held on the 15th, that all public premises, schools etc, be closed .. .An emergency committee was formed …

A volunteer staff of some 150 men, young women and boys got together and gave valuable assistance to the stricken families; the women doing nursing and caring for the houses, boys doing general errands and chores and the men found endless work in visiting and helping in many ways. 

We are greatly indebted to these helpers for their valuable work and to the owners of automobiles for the assistance given. The Daughters of the Empire and the Red Cross were tireless in the work of making soups and beef-tea for the hospital and the invalids in their homes. 

The ban on public gatherings was raised for churches on the 10th of November, theatres, etc on the 11th, and schools were opened on the 18th. During the period from October 16 to November 30, some 1,434 cases were reported, making a total (for the year), approximately, of 2,230 (in a town of about 8,000 with a district population of about 30,000). There were 164 deaths, of which 65 were residents of the town.

The report reveals that a century ago, death came in many forms and was ever present. The numerous diseases contributed to the short average life span (under 65 years) and high child mortality (more than 15 percent died in the first year).

In addition to outlining the administrative activities, the report illustrates well the ways in which communities respond to disease crises. In the 1918 epidemic, volunteer organizations and the socially concerned stepped up. Meanwhile, the Board of Trade, later named Chamber of Commerce, did not meet, or record any response in its minute books. However, many volunteers helped alleviate the crises.

Turning to the present, the public spiritedness of Sudburians continues. Below is a partial list of some of the volunteer-led initiatives. Many other endeavours undoubtedly are ongoing but, as in 1918, the socially minded have once again offered ideas and undertaken action. Their efforts should be applauded.

  • Masks for All Sudbury is a Facebook group that organized sewing bees, traded materials, and collected donations of money and materials to make face masks for institutions and individuals.
  • Instead of books, seed libraries were organized for free pick up, to help established and new gardeners get growing before nurseries opened up.
  • We the Bury, another Facebook group, collected empty bottles, and donated the return proceeds to the food bank.
  • Many individuals have advertised buy local to support restaurants and small business.
  • Facebook groups organized volunteers to deliver food to those with limited mobility or to the elderly.
  • Grocery and other stores arranged special hours for seniors.
  • Using social media, much culture was made available online; one example among many is the concert offered by the Sudbury Arts Council featuring local musicians
  • Many new groups formed on line to maintain old friendships. One is Legion dance friends, which offered dance music, social exchanges, and a chance to see one another’s pets.
  • The couple, who organize the city’s Latin dances many months of the year, organized a Live project linedance, offering lessons, practice, and advanced moves three times a week.
  • The recognition of essential workers took many forms, from buying flowers for cashiers to applauding health care workers.
  • At least one legion has offered free meals for seniors, with donations accepted.

One could make a much longer list, but the point is that many have stepped up and in addition to acknowledging those that normally go about their “essential work” without recognition, the community should be grateful that with electronic technology, even if we cannot hug, we can see and care for one another. 

It is unfortunate that those who have received support from the government, in particular students, were not encouraged in return to undertake some social tasks such as say washing windows for the disabled, tilling gardens for the elderly, and on that odd day in early May, shoveling snow. 

Community is built and maintained by all, and the more everyone contributes their special skills and talents the better off we all are.

Dr. Dieter K. Buse is Professor Emeritus, History, Laurentian University. He has published many studies on modern European history and more recently on our region, including Come on Over: Northeastern Ontario (co-authored with Graeme S. Mount) and the two volume work, Untold: Northeastern Ontario’s Military Past vol. 1: 1662-World War I and vol. 2: World War II-Peacekeeping (available from Latitude 46, Sudbury).  Buse, as an educator, researches and writes as his social contribution to better understand the present in historical context


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