Thread by @NYCHealthCommr

In the winter of 1893-94, there was a smallpox outbreak in Brooklyn. While that was a long time ago — Brooklyn wouldn’t officially become part of NYC for another 4 years — many of the strategies used to fight the outbreak look familiar to us today. 🧵

Thanks to @NYCRecords’ efforts to digitize an enormous number of records from the municipalities that eventually became part of NYC as we know it, we can see how the Kings County Board of Health acted to stem the smallpox outbreak and keep residents safe.

Just like now, vaccinating workers was an important part of the effort — like at this bakery where a team of vaccinators took care of the whole workforce.

Numerous sites offering free vaccine were opened near the location of the outbreak.

Vaccinating children against smallpox was so critical that the Department of Public Instruction in Brooklyn began requiring proof of vaccination for students as well.

Thankfully, the efforts of the Board, the Health Department, and many more succeeded so well that by the following month, the Brooklyn Health Commissioner received this very kind note from the local medical society.

These historical echoes remind us that even when confronting the “dread diseases” of the modern day, we can derive inspiration from our forebears. Then, as now, a strong public health response is vital to enable the rest of society to function.
archives.nyc/blog/2021/12/1…