Lessons From the Philadelphia Flu of 1918

As the coronavirus spreads in the U.S., it will ultimately fall to local health officials to determine appropriate responses. While the CDC and other federal agencies have a large role to play, state and municipal officials will be on the frontlines. They will be the ones making some of the hardest decisions.

These officials could have to decide whether athletic events and other large gatherings are allowed to take place. They may find it tempting to take their cue from the president — who keeps downplaying the coronavirus — and disregard the risks. But before they do so, they might want to recall the story of one of their predecessors, a little over a century ago.