This Giving Tuesday, help ensure voters have the information they need to make confident, informed decisions. Donate now!
Documenting America's Path to Recovery: April 2, 2021
 Welcome to Documenting America’s Path to Recovery. Today we are taking a break from our normal schedule and looking at COVID-19 policy changes from this time last year and a story from the 1918 influenza pandemic. We will be back on Monday with a normally scheduled edition. Want to know what we covered yesterday? Click here. We are committed to keeping you updated on everything from mask requirements to curfews to vaccine-related policies. We will keep you abreast of major developments—especially those affecting your daily life. 
This time last year: Friday, April 3, 2020The first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020. But it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout March and April, many states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, and changed election dates. Many of those policies remain in place today. Each week, we’ll look back at some of the defining policy responses of the early coronavirus pandemic. Here's what happened this time last year. To see a list of all policy changes in each category, click the links below. Friday, April 3, 2020:
1918 influenza pandemicAs part of our coverage of the coronavirus pandemic last year, we looked back at stories from the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic to see how America met the challenges of a national health emergency. More than 50 million people perished from the disease worldwide, including about 675,000 in the U.S., making it one of the deadliest pandemics in recorded history. To see a complete list of 1918 stories on Ballotpedia, click here. On Jan. 31, 1919, the San Antonio Express reported on the decline in influenza cases in the city and efforts to keep another wave at bay.That the influenza pandemic in San Antonio now is a matter of history was the statement Thursday afternoon of City Health Officer King. Dr. King based his opinion on the reports of new cases during the present week. Thursday’s report indicated only eight new cases, which has been the average maintained this week. “The epidemic is over as far as this season is concerned,” said Dr. King. “Recent reports indicate that as a certainty, but we cannot afford to let up on our health regulations. People should continue to exercise the greatest precautions to prevent a recurrence of the disease.” On Feb. 10, 1919, the Oregon Daily Journal reported on the suspension of a mask mandate in Portland in response to a decline in influenza cases. Influenza masks will not be worn in Portland, according to a proclamation issued Saturday by John G. Abele, city health officer. An ordinance was recently passed by the city council requiring the wearing of masks in certain places under heavy penalty while the epidemic was prevalent. Since there has been such a decided decrease in the number of influenza cases, the edict has been issued that it is no longer considered epidemic and that the ordinance shall, therefore, be suspended. Health bureau officers recommend that the vigilance of the people be continued and no further drastic measures will then be necessary. The consolidated health bureau, under the direction of Dr. Sommers, closed its doors Saturday afternoon. Any further cases developing in Portland will be handled by the city or county health officers. In ordering the close of the office, Dr. Sommers believes the epidemic practically over.
|
