By J.J. Lamb
On October 9th 1918, the Arizona Daily Star printed that “Some of those silly people that spread the very harmful lies greatly exaggerated the influenza deaths in the army camps [in Kansas].” Many in the Old Pueblo believed that Tucson would escape the influenza that was spreading rapidly around the world and reached into other parts of Pima County. It seemed to be affecting every aspect of life ¾ somewhere else. Even new motion picture releases worldwide had been stopped.
The very next day, October 10th, The Arizona Daily Star reported that 27 Railroad men working at the SPRR Division Point in Tucson had fallen ill. Physicians were quickly brought together by the Mayor to discuss the situation. Following their recommendations, Tucson’s mayor established a strict quarantine. Churches, schools, movie houses, and pool halls were ordered closed. Parents were warned that children could not be allowed to play outside or the quarantine would not be effective. The virus had reached Tucson. On October 17th Pima County schools, including Vail, were closed to help stop the influenza.
By November 14th the Tucson City Health Office received a telegram from the State communicating that schools meeting strict sanitation requirements in areas where cases were consistently decreasing could reopen. But, “City Health Officer Clyne does not consider that the epidemic is on the wane here. The number of new cases of influenza reported yesterday was eight and that same number was reported the day before.” Clyne did not open the schools. He issued an order that merchants could not hold any special sales in an effort to keep people from gathering, and strengthen the quarantine.
Two days later, on November 16th, the Arizona State Board of Health finally agreed on some ‘Flu Rules’, and released a plan called “Eight Points Enumerated By Which Towns May Reopen Churches, Schools, Etc., Rules To Put in Effect By Local People.” There were still too many cases in Tucson to re-open. By November 21st only four cases had been reported in the previous 24 hours, and no deaths. Tucson residents were getting hopeful. But, it was too soon. New cases continued to keep schools, churches, and pool halls closed. The State Superintendent of Schools decided that even though teachers were not in the classroom, they should continue to receive their full pay because they had no control over the epidemic.
On December 12th the Tucson City Council passed an ordinance, effective immediately requiring the wearing of masks at stores, theaters, and businesses. Police would not make arrests until Saturday to give everyone time to purchase or make a mask. Teachers and children at school were exempt because of the procedures put in place to reopen schools a few weeks earlier. School was now in session six days a week. Children attended school every other day. This made it possible for every child seated at their desk to have “three feet of breathing space” as only half of a class was in the classroom at one time. Dr. Clyne also said that “children didn’t appear to be as susceptible to the influenza.”
Tucson’s mayor suggested that the Police Chief go to each church the following Sunday to make sure the new ordinance was being obeyed. The mayor was quoted as saying, “It won’t hurt a policeman to go to church once.” It was also decided that ministers would not be required to wear a mask while preaching, and neither would church choirs while singing. On December 17th eight defendants were fined $10 each for not wearing a mask.
By January 3rd, 1919 people were weary of the restrictions. Especially teachers and students who were now expected to work through holidays, and very likely, their summer vacation too. In the January 7th Tucson Citizen an editorialist wrote that the mental strain, the constant worry, difficulty of trying to keep up with studies and teaching with no time to relax could have long-term health consequences for both students and teachers. That “It would be far better to curtail some of the studies, going to the extreme, if necessary of adding half a year to the child’s last year of school.”
In 24 Jan 1919, Roskruge and Drachman schools had to be closed for nearly two weeks when six teachers became Ill with influenza. At the High School students met for half-day sessions. Pupils were expected to study their lessons at home in the afternoons. By June of 1919 fewer and fewer cases of influenza are mentioned in the local news. In Tucson, and around the world, people were ready to put memories of the pandemic and WWI behind them.
