Mask Mandates In US History

Mask Mandates In US History – The Mask Mandate of 2020 is not the first time the US has had a mask mandate. One such pandemic was the Spanish Flu of 1918-1919.

Mask Mandates In US History

In 1918, just a little over 100 years ago, there was a mask mandate throughout the United States. It was just after World War I (WWI). A huge influenza pandemic happened in 1918 to 1919. It was reported as one of the most deadly flu outbreaks, known as the Spanish Flu or even 1918 H1N1.

That pandemic killed up to 50 million people worldwide! With reports of around 675,000 people killed in the United States alone.

Just like in 2020, the government rolled out rules, closing schools, places of public amusement and requesting people to wear masks in public. They even issued “no-spitting” ordinances back then. Even some no sneezing ordinances too.

It was said, then most people complied with it. Today, we have mixed emotions about it. They even imposed fines then to those not in compliant of wearing a face mask. Then the penalty for violators was $5 to $10, or 10 days’ imprisonment. November 9, 1918 around 1,000 people were arrested in San Fransisco.

Where is your mask?

“Where is your mask?” Judge Mathew Brady asked offenders at the Hall of Justice, where sessions dragged into night. Some gave fake names, said they just wanted to light a cigar or that they hated following laws.

Jail terms of 8 hours to 10 days were given out. Those who could not pay $5 were jailed for 48 hours.

In the image above, you can see one face mask wearing wearing a sign that stated wear a mask or go to jail.

Even then some of the same fears came about. Some like people won’t come to my business if I require mask or not require mask. It was just to put fear into people. However, communities that implemented stronger health measures overall fared better than those that didn’t.

The Mask Slackers of 1918

The Mask Slackers of 1918. As the influenza pandemic swept across the United States in 1918 and 1919, masks took a role in political and cultural wars. The masks were called muzzles, germ shields and dirt traps. They gave people a “pig-like snout.” Some people snipped holes in their masks to smoke cigars.

The Mask Slacker was shot. Known as James Wisser, a blacksmith. Henry D. Miller, a health inspector, led him to the drugstore to buy a mask. He then struck him with a sack of silver dollars and knocked him to the ground, where he fired four times with a revolver. However, Wisser was only severely injured. Wisser was charged with disturbing the peace, resisting an officer and assault. While Miller was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

‘To Mask or Not to Mask’

In Los Angeles, ‘To Mask or Not to Mask’ which was the headline for a report published in The Los Angeles Times. City officials met in November to decide whether to require residents to wear “germ scarers” or “flu-scarers.”

Anti-Mask League

Even an Anti-Mask League and Anti-Mask Meetings popped up then.

I am sure just like today, they had arguments on both sides on wearing them or not wearing. Such as one I saw at a Rural King. These two men were verbally yelling at each other in the store. Then, when I went to my car, they both were outside, still yelling. One was for wearing them, the other was against.

Keep in mind Influenza vaccines did not exist at the time, and even antibiotics had not been developed yet during that pandemic. The CDC addds, for example, penicillin was not discovered until 1928.

The Face Mask Repeal occurred February 1, 1919. However, it was reported that the Spanish Flu Pandemic then lasted for two years.

So 2020, was not the first time for any Mask Mandates In US History! I do not believe 2020 will be the last mask mandate either. I am sure there will be more to come in the future, unless Jesus comes back before then.

Sources:

• CDC
• Filosofa’s Word
• History.com
• NY Times

Be sure to check out the Face Masks for Sale on SteveZ MaskZ!

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Steve Sews Stuff! zipper pouches, bowl cozies, Scrunchies, pocket tissue holders, rice hand warmers, aprons, decorative pillows, fidget marble mazes, Christmas Stockings, baked potato zappers, pot holders, face masks, quilting and other sewing projects that Steve Sews. Plus Steve blogs about sewing and quilting and other things. Plus blogs about sewing and quilting and other things.

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