>There were similarities with the virus that caused the 1918
>flu pandemic, in which more than 40m people died, WHO noted.
People think that an epidemic like the one caused by the "Spanish Flue" in 1918-21 couldn't happen today with our modern medicine. But back then, some people would leave work when they first felt sick and would be dead before they arrived at home. There were storied of four women playing cards one night, and three of them became sick and died before the night ended. How could today's medicine combat that except with a vaccine?
Over 25% of Americans were ill with the disease. Worldwide, 20 million people died in four months. In one Eskimo settlement in Alaska, 80% of the adults died. Although none of my direct ancestors died, many of their families died. One of my ancestors with a family with 18 children had all but 5 of them die due to the Spanish flu!