Can The End Of The 1918 Pandemic Help Us Beat COVID?

It’s been two years since the World Health Organization has named the official start of the Coronavirus Pandemic. And despite what most hoped for, the virus is still spreading among us, and it is still a problem. Compared to the start of the pandemic, there is less panic around the virus, and health services are better equipped to deal with it, mainly because we have gained a better understanding of the virus.

Compared with other epidemics, the vaccine that has been developed does not absolve us of the disease, nor can it cure it forever. Yet, it can still help us prevent the most severe cases of COVID-19 and lessen the possibility of it becoming deadly. Despite this, we still need to be vigilant and learn from every opportunity we can.

Time has passed since the beginning of this global emergency. But with the end not yet in sight, we have to turn our attention towards other similar emergencies, like the flu pandemic which lasted between 1918 and 1920. There are a lot of similarities, but also discrepancies. But by looking at it and asking ourselves some questions, maybe history can give us some answers and some hope, about when the end will come.