Over the last months of 1918 and first months of '19, Americans suffered through worst pandemic in their history as the Influenza struck. When the virus receded, 675,000 Americans had died and upwards of 50 million globally. Follow the thread below for basic #1918Pandemic 101. 
Following our thread of #1918Pandemic 101 pieces, we're excited to have Nancy Bristow, author of American Pandemic, here to answer your questions from 2-2:30 p.m. (CST). Chime in anytime with your questions using #1918Pandemic or by replying to our thread.
Scholars disagree on the geographic origins of the #1918Pandemic – some maintain it started in Kansas, while others pinpoint England or France in earlier yrs. What is clear is that the virus made its way into US Army barracks and from there, traveled out over to Western Front.
Though the virus did not originate in Spain, the #1918Pandemic was still often referred to as the "Spanish Flu". Spain, as a neutral country in #WW1, did not censor its media and published the first reports on the global disease on June 2, 1918.
Across the Western Front, millions of people were in difficult environments and rough living situations which created prime conditions for a virus to spread and mutate, causing new waves of outbreaks. | #1918Pandemic
Over 50 million people died worldwide throughout 4 waves of #1918Pandemic and nearly every time, it was initially passed off as just another seasonal flu. It struck with unexpected ferocity and created shocking mortality rates, lowering life expectancy in the U.S. by 12 years.
Traditionally the flu is more life-threatening for the very young and the very old. During the #1918Pandemic, 50% of the victims were taken in the prime of their lives: young parents, school teachers, nurses, soldiers.
Letter from James Kellogg Burnham Hockaday, First Lieutenant, 354th Infantry, 89th Division, to his grandmother: "I am certainly glad all of my relatives escaped the “flu” like they did. I have read with regret of the death of so many of my friends."
Of the roughly 1 in 10 mortality rate, some people would get sick and die within a day. Others suffered for up to 10 days. It was said that people would wake up healthy and fall victim by evening. | #1918Pandemic
In #KansasCity, #1918Pandemic arrived from nearby Army camps. City leaders tried to calm public and suggested "don't worry"! By Oct. 7, all schools, churches, theaters were closed. Groups of 20+ banned. But closings were short-lived. After re-openings, flu continued to spread.
As we think about the experiences of what people went through during the #1918Pandemic 100 years later, we can learn from some of the societal changes that occurred. Many were forced to rely on charity. Many more women entered the workforce to help provide for families.
Segregation was enforced during the #1918Pandemic with many hospitals barring access to non-white patients. Even hospitals that did offer facilities for all did so only via spaces like the basement. The cost of this was severe for those communities. ow.ly/TR0m30qsUBb
Loss and panic for everyone who survived #1918Pandemic is still felt generations later but strangely remains forgotten in the larger societal memory. The feeling after it was to "move on" and forget. Do you think “forgetting” helps the next gen get through similar challenges?
Today, we are better able to “isolate” socially and have learned hand-washing protocols as well as other protective measures that can help fight a quick spread of a virus. | #1918Pandemic
A global pandemic happened and millions died. While our situation 100 years later is vastly different, it's important to glean what we can from experiences of those who lived it. Below are a few book recs and the following tweets are answers to your #1918Pandemic questions.
Thanks to all who hung in there! We'd like to introduce Nancy Bristow, professor of history at @univpugetsound. She is the author of American Pandemic: The Lost Worlds of the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. She joins us now to answer your #1918Pandemic questions. Answers signed: "NB"
Thank you so much for including me today! Always a pleasure to be included with @TheWWImuseum NB
