Today at church, Bro. Davis got up and was talking about swine flu. That got me thinking about the flu epidemic in the early 1900's that Grandma Gambles used to talk about. The one that killed lots of people. I didn't pay much attention to what she said about it, 'cuz hey, it happened forever ago and it wasn't relevant. Bro. Davis said it killed about 50 million people worldwide. Wow. That's a lot.
I was thinking, didn't it happen around the same time as WWI? Bro. Davis said it happened during the 1918-1919 school year. All the schools were closed that year. Grandma must have been about 8 or 9 when the epidemic hit. I wonder what I'd do if my kids had to stay home from school for a year? I bet they'd have everyone take classes online. David would LOVE that!
After Bro. Davis, Bro. McBride got up. Bro. McBride is old. Very old. I was thinking, I bet he was around when that flu epidemic happened. I wonder how old he was?
So, Bro. McBride started talking. He was 4 when the influenza epidemic hit. I guess that would make him 95 this year. His brother and his cousin went to Europe to fight in WWI. They didn't get sick, but they brought influenza home and he caught it. He survived (obviously) but says it must have weakened him because he's been tired ever since. He said, "I think that's the reason I've lived so long. I've been tired my whole life so I've rested alot."
I didn't know the flu spread because of WWI. I guess it makes sense. I have no idea what's going to happen with the Swine Flu outbreak, but I hope it's nothing like the 1918 flu. I think we'll all be OK, if we deal with it properly. Like not panicking and staying as clean, healthy and positive as possible.
Meagan told me she's heard that people said we would get a black President when pigs flew. Then within the first 100 days of Obama's presidency, the swine flu broke out, so it happened: pigs flu! Oh, that's bad, isn't it?...groan...
3 comments:
christopher wonders why everyone talks about swine flu. he says the regular flu has killed more people than swine flu every did. they are going to san diego thursday.
That's interesting. I wonder if that's over a long period of time? You don't hear about people dying from regular flu much. Maybe that's why they keep wanting everyone to get flu shots every year?
Bro. Davis was a school teacher back in the 70's when there was a big swine flu scare. They made all the teachers get innoculated. One of the teachers he worked with had a bad reaction and half of his face got paralyzed. After all that, the scare turned out to be nothing because they were able to contain it in New Jersey where it started. Who knows what will happen this time?
The Chrises sure do travel alot.
I love the comment about Obama. It sure is true! "They once said a black man would be president when pigs fly. Obama's first 100 days and BAM! Swine Flu!" Ha ha ha.
I am so glad you posted you had a blog. I never even knew. I have one as well if you ever feel like checking it out. It is http://cameronandbekah.blogspot.com
Hope you and your family are doing well Talk to you soon!
Bekah
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