1918 and 2025, Listening to Politicians or Physicians?
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2024 Blog #08
February 24, 2025
1918 and 2025, Listening to Politicians or Physicians?
I had a bit of an adventure this past week. As part of my hospice duties, I was required to get fitted for an N95 mask. Because I am relatively new to the world of hospice, this was my first time. Those who are long term members of the hospice team told me that this is a standard procedure for all employees. Our company wishes for us to know how to properly fit in such masks to protect us from illness as we visit very sick people.
I haven’t paid much attention to masks since the COVID pandemic that terrorized the world and cost the earth the lives of an estimated 3 million people. I remember the justified fear that we lived with during that dark time in our history. It was during that time that I wished to speak with my grandmother, and my grandmother-in-law, both of whom had survived a similar pandemic when the Spanish Flu ravaged the world in 1918. At that time, it is estimated, that there were 50 million deaths. Medicine came a long way in those 100 years. Three million deaths, with a much larger world population, is a lower number than we might have expected when COVID attacked us.
During the time of COVID, not being able to consult with my grandmothers, I did a bit of research on the web about pandemics, and their spread. One of the most intriguing things that I learned was that Philadelphia had the highest death rate from the Spanish Flu in the United States. Roughly 12,000 people died in that city. In contrast, the city of San Francisco had the lowest number of deaths at the same time. That number is, approximate 3,500. What did each city do differently during that plague?
In Philadelphia, doctors knew of the value of masks and quarantining during the flu. City politicians, however, did not follow the directions that the physicians gave. Instead of mandating masks and restricting public activities, the city leadership continued with plans for a public parade to welcome back war veterans and refused to mandate masks. Politicians did not listen to the medical community and the results were devastating to the city of Philadelphia.
San Francisco’s leadership listened to the advice of the medical community. Masks were mandated and public events were cancelled. The deaths from the flu were approximately one quarter of those in Philadelphia. The lesson that I’ve learned from this, is that in medical matters, it is good when politicians listen to medical professionals.
I wonder if we, as a nation, have learned anything from that bit of history. Dr. Fauci was chief medical advisor during our COVID pandemic, and he was frequently castigated by politicians, including a president, for stating what he believed was the truth about medical solutions to COVID. One can only wonder how many deaths could have been prevented had his advice been followed.
More recently, instead of appointing a health care professional as Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Senate decided to approve the nomination of an attorney who has frequently argued with the medical community over a number of issues. It seems to me, learning from history, that on the issue of health, a wiser decision might have been made than to have a lawyer in charge of health. What is next? Shall I start bringing my car to the barber to have it repaired or getting my medical exams from my lawyer?
Things have gotten a little crazy in our nation. Many people I know blame our new president for it. I blame the senate. Only the senate has the power to block or confirm appointments. I hope at the next election that we hold the senators accountable. Regardless, I’ll be consulting my doctor on all medical affairs.