Historian Dr Ida Milne, who has written about the Spanish flu in Ireland in her book, Stacking the Coffins: Influenza, War and Revolution in Ireland 1918-1919, estimates that 800,000 were affected by the disease in Ireland.“According to the registry, 20,057 died from flu in Ireland and I have added about 3,000 pneumonia deaths to that – I think it’s quite conservative because doctors were too busy treating the ill to be worried about registering the dead.
As for the impact in Co Tipperary, local historian Sean O’Donnell in his book Clonmel 1900-1932, A History said the illness was at its most deadly in the town in late October 1918. “In one week, 120 cases were admitted to St Joseph’s Hospital and 12 people died – whole families were stricken down as were many members of the police and military,” he noted.
Although Mr Walsh’s recollections of the Spanish flu are confined primarily to the impact on his own family and in particular his father, he doesn’t believe the authorities then were as proactive as the Government today.
I am hopefull that we gain a better funded health service as a result of this shutdown its proof that people are willing to give up their wages to support health over personal income.
If COVID-19 was remotely as devastating as the Spanish flu then the government wouldn’t have to have restrictions, the nation would be hiding in the hills by their own accord.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: rtenews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »