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Movies & Million-Dollar Mansions, Behind the Scenes at the "Flying A," & Silents on the Islands

"WAY BACK WHEN" WEDNESDAY

Image: Healdsburg Enterprise, November 9, 1918

"WAY BACK WHEN" WEDNESDAY - The Spanish Flu Invaded Santa Barbara

 

Everything changed here on October 14, 1918 with the large headline, "'Flu' Invades Santa Barbara; Schools, Movies, Other Public Gathering Places May Close." The subhead continued, "Fifty Cases, Five Serious Ones, Already Reported in City."

 

Meetings were cancelled or postponed, and the schools and churches closed. "No public services will be held at the Old Mission Sunday for the first time in its 132 years of existence . . . For the first time in its history, parishioners will not assemble to hear Mass."

 

Some people just stayed home. Many of those who went out wore masks or scarves. Doctors, nurses, other health workers, and anyone with a cold or flu were required to wear masks. Barbers, dentists, and pharmacists were advised to wear masks. The local Red Cross jumped into action and made 1400 masks. Some people made their own masks.

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