This article, originally appeared two years ago. However with current coronavirus pandemic, I thought it would be worthwhile to bring, after all for some readers this will be a new material, thus a special Tuesday feature, with an end note not in the original article.
One hundred years ago witnessed the worldwide flu pandemic. It caught many by surprise, and Lassen County, like so many others were not prepared how quickly it spread, nor how deadly it was. In early October 1918 the flu made its presence in the communities of Susanville and Westwood. On October 10, forty-year-old Lassen County Surveyor, Thad McKay, became the first victim. A week later, Dr. F.H. Shanks, Lassen County Health Officer issued a statement that yes, the flu was prominent, but a mild one, and citizens to take the necessary precautions of any health crisis. Everything changed quickly with the death of Stephen F. Watson on October 17, shortly followed by two more members of the Watson family. By early November there were over 300 cases of flu in Susanville, roughly one-third of the town’s population. On November 11, 1918, the City held a special session and ordered the closure of the town’s saloons and other public gathering places. The ban was not lifted until November 20, after a decrease in new flu cases.
It is difficult to determine how many Lassen County residents died from the flu. This is due in part many deaths were not recorded with the Lassen County Recorder. If pressed, I would estimate that nearly 100 deaths occurred in Lassen County that were attributed to the flu during 1918-19.